Calling Basement Inventors: Your Country Needs You
The Canadian federal government wants to tap into the expertise, creativity, and smarts of home-based inventors and turn their ideas into innovative consumer products.
That’s according to a fascinating article in the Star Phoenix newspaper.
The report highlights two key studies that demonstrate how private inventors are helping companies to innovate:
A new survey by Industry Canada (a department of the government of Canada) found that 13 per cent of Canadians class themselves as “private innovators,” and they have either enhanced consumer goods or created new ones in the last three years.
A breakthrough paper “The Age of the Consumer-Innovator” by lead author Eric von Hippel, an MIT professor in Cambridge, Mass. It was published in the fall 2011 issue of MIT Sloan Management Review.
According to this study US consumers spend one third of the amount that businesses spend on consumer product research and development in the US. It also highlights how the move from producer-centered innovation to user-centered innovation is catching many companies off guard.
User Innovation
User innovation can no longer be ignored. Once seen as the rough tinkerings of a bunch of amateurs, consumer innovations can radically transform the fortunes of a company. Smart firms know this, as do governments which is why they are keen to help realize the potential of innovative individuals.
According to Industry Canada its survey is part of a larger project which is looking at ways to encourage product development through consumer-innovators. This could include new laws, regulatory standards, and expenditure programs.
To read the Star Phoenix article in full click here.
To read more about Eric von Hippel’s research click here.
Reader Comments
My contact is on the many years I have been working on one idea for a multi-task machine involving many areas of everyday life called a nu-konzept for forestry, farming ,property maintenance and so on . It is a hydraulic towable that can be towed by small tractors, ATV's UTV's and even a horse or ride on mower. Small is the new big ,it should be. I also re-invented the ordinary log splitter as one attachment for the all terrain towable. It helps to be more eco friendly and more user friendly . Her are a couple of facts. No wedge ,less fuel ,no hand to steady needed and so on. I have a local paper doing an article on my vast designed equipment and on this tool I have invested many years to get to this point. I know my innovative solution will have an impact on one many fronts. Kind regards Inventor of Debert NS.
Posted by walte rodler on July 26, 2013
Add your Comment
[LOGIN FIRST] if you're already a member.fields are required.