Abstract
Three features of the practice of discovery by contemporary breakthrough innovators emerge as plainly apparent – their thinking is holistic, intimate and non-linear. Interestingly, these distinctive features appear to have a significant historical component – they are individually and collectively the diametric opposite of the very best elements of Modern thinking, a perspective that has contributed greatly to economic advancement over the past few centuries. Of note, while breakthrough innovators must be extremely talented in the ways of Modern thinking, it is merely their entry ticket to being able to contribute more powerfully. Those who truly stand out as innovators possess this additional set of skills, the ability to think in this other way. Since so few people exhibit great skill in thinking in both of these ways, it is not surprising that breakthrough innovators are such rare individuals.
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- 1.
An insightful notable exception is Frans Johansson’s (2004) appeal to historical precedent in The Medici Effect.
- 2.
While some can appropriately contest that they do personally not value baby-cut carrots, the fact remains that they have been valued in the marketplace as demonstrated by a high volume of profitable sales over many years. It is by this definition that their status as a breakthrough innovation is secured for the purpose of this study. No attempt is made to assert that there is more intrinsic, non-financial value to the bagged carrots or to peeling them for oneself – that is left to others to consider.
- 3.
This relationship between incremental and breakthrough innovation parallels the relationship identified by Kuhn (1962) between the conduct of “normal science” within the context of a dominant paradigm and the occurrence of a “scientific revolution” at which time the existing dominant paradigm is reconsidered and discarded, and replaced by a new dominant paradigm.
- 4.
As noted by my research colleague, Raymond Price:
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Q: How many breakthrough innovators do you have in a company of 10 engineers?
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A: 1
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Q: How many breakthrough innovators do you have in a company of 100 engineers?
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A: 10
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Q: How many breakthrough innovators do you have in a company of 1,000 engineers?
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A: 100
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Q: How many breakthrough innovators do you have in a company of 10,000 engineers?
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A: None – you’ve driven them all away.
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- 5.
This approach of relying on “dead metaphors” to gain insight in the act of how knowing was grasped by earlier generations is consistent with C.S. Lewis’ studies of medieval language and cosmology (Lewis 1960, 1964). By grasping “the medieval synthesis itself, the whole organization of their theology, science and history into a single, complex, harmonious mental model of the universe.” (Lewis 1964) individuals can begin to place themselves into these earlier epochs and learn from them.
- 6.
Interestingly, such preparation has been suggested as appropriate for military engagement against insurgents, where innovative responses are essential. As noted by an officer serving in such an environment who had “begun to think about how a young soldier could prepare for what he’s been through. Before [deployment], he and his soldiers fought a giant mock tank battle at the National Training Center. It wasn’t helpful. Instead, he says, ‘I guess I’d drop soldiers in a foreign high school and give them two days to figure out all the cliques. Who are the cool kids? Who are the geeks?’ he says.” (Jaffee 2004).
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Vojak, B.A. (2017). A Historical Perspective on the Epistemology of Contemporary Breakthrough Innovation. In: Michelfelder, D., Newberry, B., Zhu, Q. (eds) Philosophy and Engineering. Philosophy of Engineering and Technology, vol 26. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45193-0_18
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