Innovation is not always about implementing or introducing new concepts or methods. It is also the result of a long process that involves uncovering new ways of doing things. The world is evolving at a fast pace where technology and science are changing our conception of the impossible. This growth is driven by different factors that include, but are not limited to, the desire by some organizations to realize competitive advantages or improve human life.
Indeed, Innovations open doors to opportunities, and it’s essential for substantial economic growth and survival. Innovation and creation are two terms that can be easily confused. However, innovation can be a creation, but creation is only an innovation when the results fill a gap of knowledge. Innovators need to think outside the box while creators can replicate an existing product or concept. Also, innovation can be realized with creativity, but it can also be a result of an incident. In this work, we focus on the latter perception of innovation. We will talk about two innovations that resulted from an error and the forces that supported them.
The first accidental innovation is Viagra. The discovery of this medicine to rectify erectile dysfunction was a fortuitous accident. It was initially a trial for a cardiovascular drug under the direction of Ian Osterloh at Pfizer (Rhona, n.d.). The initial idea was to find a drug to expand blood vessels and treat angina, a coronary heart situation that causes strain within the chest. Although the drug was ineffective against angina, some volunteers have shown signed of improved erections for several days after taking the blue tablets. That discovery led the researchers to believe that erectile dysfunction was not a result of psychological issues, as previously believed, but the result of some biological dysfunction. Researchers demonstrated that erectile dysfunction was caused by the inability of blood to flow quickly enough to the penis (Rhona, n.d.).
The last accidental innovation is Coca-Cola. This drink was invented in 1886 by Dr. John Pemberton, a pharmacist from Atlanta, Georgia. In that period, the city of Atlanta banned the sale of alcohol which led Dr. Pemberton to create a mix of Coca extract, syrup manufactured from wine, and carbonated water to make what was named “my temperance drink”. It was believed that the drink was a good treatment for complications and nervous problems and that it contained cocaine. Today, the formula of syrup is still one of the most kept secrets in the world. In 1886, the drink was selling for five cents a glass, and the drink recorded an average sell of nine drinks a day from drugstores. According to Forbes, the company recorded more than $33 Billion in the first half of 2021.
Accidental or intentional, millions of inventions made it a hundred times easier to perform everyday tasks. Coca-cola and Viagra were two examples of innovations among millions of others that have, in some regards, generated more revenues to an organization or improved our quality of life. The needs of humans are never-ending; the same goes for their curiosity. It will not be with any surprise if tomorrow millions of other innovations come to life.
References
- 1.Finkel, R. (2012, July 31). How viagra was discovered. Drugsdb.com. Retrieved October 12, 2021, from http://www.drugsdb.com/rx/viagra/how-viagra-was-discovered/.
- 2.How was Coca-Cola invented? The Coca-Cola Company. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://www.coca-colacompany.com/faqs/how-was-coca-cola-invented.
- 3.Forbes Magazine (2021, May 3). Coca-cola (KO). (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/companies/coca-cola/?sh=449413d7438c
Comments
Post a Comment