From Innovation to Invention
An invention is something that has never been made before, or the process of creating something that has never been made before
The Cambridge Dictionary
Invention creates something new, innovation creates something that sells
The Cambridge Dictionary defines an invention as “something that has never been made before, or the process of creating something that has never been made before”. By definition, it has to be something entirely new, so an invention is something that has never been done before. To invent something is to discover a new thing.
Meanwhile, to innovate means “to use a newidea ormethod”. To innovate is to introduce something new to the market, to manipulate existing inventions and turn them into a product or process that is of use in the real world.
It’s not difficult to see how tricky it can be to distinguish between these two concepts. After all, “new” is the keyword for both innovation and invention. But the essential difference is that inventors create something completely original. This could, for example, be a technical idea or a scientific process.
Of course, inventions also have to be proven to work. You can’t simply come up with any new idea – you have to be able to show that you can make it a success. That’s where innovation comes in. Innovators might come up with something that is not new at all. Rather, they operate within the realm of what already exists and is readily available to work with. Innovators use processes or platforms that have already been invented to create a commercially successful product or process that will satisfy a market need and have customers ready to queue. A product or process is inventive if it has never been done before – whether it is innovative depends on whether users will get a real value out of it.
Do you know any story how a failure become a success?
Let´s find more by watching the BBC video Four failed inventions that changed the world
Activity
Present your ideas through rapid prototyping (sketching, paper and digital).
Individual or team working of making prototype by using sustainable materials (recycling, upcycling, paper, digital). Trainer should support creativity, discussion and development of soft skills.
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