Why studying the history of innovation helps today’s innovators

While there is an abundance of excellent books and courses on entrepreneurship, the study of innovation's history often takes a backseat. In a way, it's akin to awarding a physics degree to someone who is unaware of the origins of Newton's three laws of motion. Yet, understanding the history of innovation aids modern innovators at two levels:

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Level 1: Historical knowledge of the space they move into

Would you venture into shaping the future of ChatGPT with no grasp on artificial intelligence’s six decades of setbacks and triumphs? Unthinkable. Innovating requires a profound understanding of the history of the space you're stepping into—which is itself composed of multiple micro-histories. Consider the autonomous vehicle: it stands on the shoulders of automotive engineering, yes, but also rides alongside the evolution of sensor technology, computer vision, data analytics, control systems, navigational prowess, fail-safes, cybersecurity, and so on. Knowing this multiform lineage doesn't just save you from reinventing the wheel. It also acts as a safeguard against simplistic marketing narratives… and prevents your communication teams from spinning foolish yarns.

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Level 2: Historical knowledge of how innovations happen

History is not merely a resource to avoid errors from yesteryears. It is a treasure trove of contexts, a repository of patterns that offer potential predictive power or, at least, meaningful insights that sharpen your operational and cognitive faculties—elements that are essential for transformative thought. History serves as a contextual discovery platform and intellectual incubator, and a crucible for critical thinking and creative problem-solving

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As a contextual discovery platform and intellectual incubator, history offers insights into some of the pivotal questions that frequently preoccupy aspiring innovators. Here are some of them:

• Why do certain technologies remain obscure while others become widespread?
• How do the complex genealogies of knowledge and the interconnectedness of innovators shape the landscape of innovation?
• What are the core elements of a thriving ecosystem for innovation?
• Why are women and minorities often marginalized in narratives about innovation?
• Why do equally talented individuals, seemingly in the “right place at the right time,” experience such varied levels of success?
• What triggers a mass movement of entrepreneurs to converge on the same idea simultaneously?

These are questions that I address in my book.

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Contrary to the multitude of success stories that promote the myth of the lone genius, the history of innovation shows a more collaborative and nuanced tale. This understanding is crucial for innovators to sidestep disillusionment and discouragement. In fact, historical awareness can be empowering, enabling them to proactively cultivate the adaptive mindset that fosters both emotional and intellectual resilience. The domain of innovation resembles a complex, multiplayer game, operating like a mechanism that favors contributions which ensure its continuity rather than individual dreams. However, it also reveals that regardless of the extent of the impact you make or the success of the ventures you initiate, each individual can still contribute meaningfully to the collective advancement of innovation.

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As a critical thinking toolkit: With their perspectives broadened by the annals of past innovations, aspiring innovators are better equipped to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to accurately assess the complexities of their chosen fields and to interpret the challenges they face. Historical insight encourages them to embrace the complexity of innovation and recognize that it cannot be reduced to simple formulas. This insight allows them to question established narratives of innovation that have become entrenched misleading archetypes. They are prompted to "think again"—to critically evaluate their own beliefs and the collective wisdom by comparing them to a wide range of historical scenarios, thereby uncovering the true meaning of concepts like “breakthrough” and “window of opportunity.” Ultimately, history provides a more profound understanding of change, enabling innovators to navigate the myriad demands they encounter each day and to appreciate that innovation is more about making meaningful contributions to humanity's continuous journey than simply disrupting the status quo or breaking things.

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In closing, the study of history is not an academic exercise—it's an indispensable guide that helps innovators through the complexities of creation and change and tells them that while it’s hard to innovate, it’s also worth it.