As America approaches the 250th anniversary of our founding, it’s worth reflecting on one of the defining features of the American experiment: innovation. From the Wright Brothers to modern entrepreneurs and small business owners, America’s history is one of invention, innovation, and everyday people working to improve their own lives and the lives of others.
But what are innovators? And how does a person become one?
Innovators are problem solvers. They take initiative to improve what already exists.
But innovation doesn’t happen just because someone has a good idea. Innovators need space to experiment, learn, and iterate.
When these basic needs are met, the American capacity to innovate flourishes.
What is the difference between an invention and an innovation?
An invention is a new idea or a product. But impact doesn’t come just from the initial idea.
It also happens when inventions are improved upon and put to better use.
The very first iPhone was a breakthrough invention. Subsequent versions built on that invention through ongoing innovation and improvement.
What is an innovator? An inventor? An entrepreneur?
Not all innovators are inventors. While some innovators create entirely new ideas, others improve existing tools, systems, or products.
Entrepreneurs can be innovators too. Entrepreneurs are problem-solvers who drive progress by turning ideas into solutions that serve others. So if you’ve created a new way to meet community needs by opening a day care in a child care desert or a food truck that brings a new cuisine to residents, you’re innovating.
In America, most people are employed by small businesses, meaning entrepreneurs are also key drivers of progress and opportunity.
What are some other examples of American innovation?
Innovation is everywhere, even in your grocery cart.
Consider these ingredients: flour, butter, brown sugar, and chocolate. In 1938, American chef and Toll House Inn owner Ruth Graves Wakefield combined these simple ingredients to make the chocolate chip cookie.
That’s an invention. Your family recipe that adds a secret ingredient to increase a cookie’s deliciousness? That’s innovation. (And one that brings a lot of joy!)
Innovation is the process of improving or applying ideas to create better outcomes. You see it in the energy developers who are continually looking for ways to more affordably power our homes, businesses, and lives.
When people can improve and apply ideas in response to real needs, solutions become more effective and widely available.
What turns an ordinary person into an innovator?
Just like innovation can happen anywhere, anyone can become an innovator. (Again, think of those secret family recipes!)
So, what are innovators? Innovators are people who identify a problem or need and find a way to address it in everyday life.
But innovators aren’t just idea generators.
Innovators are seekers, testers, and researchers who use experimentation and real-world feedback to determine whether their solution will catch on.
What is an innovator? It’s someone who is ingenious, creative, and willing to act, test, and improve over time.
How do innovators create real-world impact?
Small ideas can create meaningful change when they are developed, refined, and shared.
But innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
The hometown baker with the best cookie recipe needs capital, taste testers, customers, and other partners. They also need open systems that allow people to act on ideas and bring solutions to others.
Government rules must allow for risk-taking, research and development, and the free exchange of goods and services.
When barriers are low and markets are open, real people can innovate.
That idea has been part of America since the beginning. The freedom to experiment, build, and pursue opportunity helped turn the United States into one of the most innovative nations in the world — and remains central to the American Dream today.
Why we need innovators
Some innovators make and sell the food we love.
Others solve tough challenges in practical ways.
Innovators make it cheaper to heat your home, stay in touch with your mom, or — like refinements to the pacemaker — save your life. They create new opportunities for work, growth, and problem-solving.
Innovation is a multistep process:
- Identify the problem and take action
- Improve through testing, iteration, and refinement
- Scale effective solutions to reach more people
But none of this happens without a system that supports innovation and encourages risk-taking.
From the latest smartphone to the corner bakery, everyday innovations shape our lives. They’re possible because people are free to solve problems and build something better.
America’s story has always been shaped by people willing to take one small step toward something better. As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, explore the innovators from your state and reflect on the ideas that continue to move America forward.