Outside the Industry
Often you'll hear Eric von Hippel discuss how certain breakthrough (radical) innovations come from industries that are closely related to, but outside, the industry in which they are ultimately used.
Von Hippel gives the example of anti-skid breaks on cars: this came from the technology used to stop aircraft wheels from locking up.
Another one he gives is a membrane barrier used to stop infections during surgery: this one came from vets, who are often forced to operate in extremely dirty conditions.
These examples are useful. Sometimes we need to stop asking people "in the industry" and ask people outside the industry how they solve a particular problem.
If your car is rusty and you're looking for a way to stop it getting worse, are you going to ask the guy at the garage or a guy that protects oil rigs in the North Sea of Scotland?
Von Hippel gives the example of anti-skid breaks on cars: this came from the technology used to stop aircraft wheels from locking up.
Another one he gives is a membrane barrier used to stop infections during surgery: this one came from vets, who are often forced to operate in extremely dirty conditions.
These examples are useful. Sometimes we need to stop asking people "in the industry" and ask people outside the industry how they solve a particular problem.
If your car is rusty and you're looking for a way to stop it getting worse, are you going to ask the guy at the garage or a guy that protects oil rigs in the North Sea of Scotland?
Labels: innovation
posted by Gordon Graham at 6:24 AM
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