The article explores the gap between invention and innovation, citing examples like Kodak and Xerox, where groundbreaking inventions failed commercially. It introduces Donald Stokes' framework categorizing research types—pure basic, applied, and use-inspired basic research—to better understand and avoid this common failure. Microsoft's approach through Microsoft Research (MSR) exemplifies how integrating practical solutions with foundational understanding can lead to successful innovations. Ultimately, recognizing the need to balance experimentation with market demands is crucial for translating inventions into lasting products.
These anecdotes are potent examples of successful inventions that failed to translate into durable innovations - at least for the inventors.
Viewing research through this lens, he defined three categories: Pure basic research, Applied research, and use-inspired basic research.
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