Innovation through Serendipity, Error, and Exaptation


Innovative ideas have stemmed from many different directions and in different ways. Scientists, researchers, engineers, doctors, and even bikers, have introduced new ideas out in the world that expanded beyond predictable measures. Some of these innovations were discovered accidentally, like we’ve seen with x-rays and post-it notes. Some were very much developed for a specific purpose, and some were done out of inspiration. 

Serendipity is one of those ways that we’ve seen innovative thinking come to life. From day-to-day, one can experience serendipitous events, like finding 10 dollars in your jeans pocket, or coming across a quote or stranger that answers a question you’ve had on your mind for a while. Similarly, in the world of innovation, when inspiration or a manifestation for creativity and developing something new comes unexpectedly, it is considered serendipity innovation. Discoveries that “occur at the intersection of chance and wisdom”, such as the discovery of gravity by Isaac Newton, is simply what serendipity in innovation is like (Zuniga, 2022). However, serendipity innovation is confined by the iterative cycle of who you know and what you know. If you limit yourself within these confines, “your network remains fairly constant and self-selected”; which in return reduces your chances of encountering “happy accidents”, or serendipity innovation (Scofield, 2011). 

Another mode of innovation is that encountered through error; in most cases it is an unintentional error that results in something new and unaccounted for. As Steven Johnson once explained, “error often creates a path that leads you out of your comfortable assumptions”, and more often than not, grants opportunities for growth and innovation (Farnam Street Media, 2012). 

Similar to the concept of evolution, innovation through exaptation tackles the “possibility that already existing traits can be exploited for new purposes” (La Porta et al., 2020). One of the more common models of exaptation is that of fibre optics, where Corning Glass Works expanded their expertise in glass technologies to research fibre optics, later changing everything about telecommunication. The idea of using something old or current technoogies to produce something new is exactly what exaptation is (Tam, 2018). Further, the combination of multiple components, which are not necessarily part of the same function, to invent creative solutions is the utmost breakthrough. 

To conclude, there are many ways one can innovate. By expanding one’s knowledge and resources, opportunities for innovation increase. It is undoubted that forward and wishful thinking are major contributors to innovation, but if there is anything one can take out of the previously mentioned innovation modes, it is that innovation is not always planned. But knowledge and wisdom are. 

Reference

Farnam Street Media. (2012, November 2). The role of error in innovation. Farnam Street. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://fs.blog/the-role-of-error-in-innovation/

La Porta, C. A., Zapperi, S., & Pilotti, L. (Eds.). (2020). Understanding Innovation Through Exaptation. The Frontiers Collection. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45784-6

Scofield, D. M. (2011, August 23). Serendipitous Innovation. Forbes. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2011/08/23/serendipitous-innovation/?sh=52fe1169428d

Tam, M. (2018, August 14). Patterns of Innovation: How Exaptation Can Lead to Creative Breakthroughs. Medium. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://medium.com/asia-p3-hub-updates/patterns-of-innovation-how-exaptation-can-lead-to-creative-breakthroughs-d7a0a3641d8c

Zuniga, A. (2022, March 14). What is the role of serendipity in innovation? Retrieved September 30, 2022, from            https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-role-serendipity-innovation-andrea-zuniga/?trk=articles_directory

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