Is there a difference between innovation and invention (innovation vs invention)?
The English dictionary defines the term “innovation” as the act of innovating, or introducing something new. Invention is a noun, something invented by someone with an innovative idea.
Throughout history, men and women have invented things to make life easier for people. From the Medieval era to the Industrial Revolution, the world advanced through innovations.
The early 20th century was the period aeroplanes were invented and ever since then, new technology has made it possible for us to explore the far edge of the solar system.
In this article, we will be discussing more on the difference between innovation and invention.
What Is Innovation?
According to the English dictionary, the term “innovation” is defined as the act of innovating, the introduction of something new in rites, customs, etc. It’s the transformation of an idea into reality.
Innovation can also be the development or introduction of a new product, service, process, or service. Innovation is a noun that signifies its meaning as the transformation of an idea into reality.
The term “innovation” can be described as a change that typically adds value to the products or services.
Innovation offers new techniques to make things easier for people.
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What Is Invention?
The term “invention” defines something invented or the act of inventing. Invention is the act of inventing or being creative to invent a device or process that has never been manufactured before.
The idea is to make something unique, a durable and reliable product. The steam engine, the light bulb, computers, and the diesel engine were all invented by people with innovative ideas.
Inventors with their ideas have generally improved areas such as medicine, engineering, construction, entertainment, education, technology, etc.
German automobile engineer, Karl Franklin Benz invented the gasoline automobile in 1886. In the 1890s, another German engineer Rudolf Diesel invented the diesel engine.
Invention is typically a scientific idea conceived through experimentation and extensive research. Through extensive research and experimentation, a result will be achieved to create a tangible product.
Invention can be the new process of manufacturing a product or making an improvement to existing products. It can be patented in order to provide security to the inventor for intellectual property rights and to also acknowledge the invention.
Generally, every country has their specific rules for obtaining a patent and the process can be quite pricey. In order to be patented, the requirement is that the invention must be novel and also have value.
Innovation vs Invention: Key Difference between Innovation and Invention
The term “innovation” is defined as the act of innovating, the introduction of something new in rites, customs, etc. It’s the transformation of an idea into reality.
On the other hand, the term “invention” defines something invented or the act of inventing. Invention is the act of inventing or being creative to invent a device or process that has never existed before.
What are the key differences between innovation vs invention?
The term “innovation” is the act of innovating, the introduction of something new in rites, customs, etc. It’s described as the first time a product or process is put into action.
Invention is the act of inventing or being creative to invent a device or process that has never been manufactured before. Invention involves the creation of a modern product that will accepted by the public.
Innovation is the implementation of ideas for a new product or process, made for the first time. Invention is related to the manufacturing of new products.
Innovation is about adding meaningful value or making a change in the existing product. It improves the overall appearance of a product, adding new features to improve sales.
It often takes place through the development of products, processes, technologies, artworks, services or business models that innovators provide for society, government, and markets.
Innovation is however related to invention, but it’s not the same as invention. Technical innovation usually manifests through an engineering process when the problem solved is more of a technical or scientific nature.
While innovation requires a broad set of marketing, technical, and strategic skills, invention requires scientific skills. An invention is made when new ideas to create something exceptional strike a scientist.
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More on Innovation vs Invention
Inventions are said to be often unintended, which we can all agree to.
According to Britannica, in the late 19th century, American entrepreneur in the field of electric lighting Edward Acheson was working towards inventing artificial diamonds when an electrified mix of coke and clay resulted in producing the ultra-hard abrasive, Carborundum.
Also, during the mid-1800s, British chemist William Perkin attempted to create an artificial quinine. While Perkin was investigating the coal tar, the first artificial dye, Tyrian purple was created instead.
In contrast, innovation is the creation of a new method of doing something. It plays a key role in the development of reliable and sustainable methods- both in production and living.
Innovation plays a major role in business success and in scientific progress.
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Innovation vs Invention: Competitive Strategy
Inventions are considered opportunities to build and create. Inventions create their own market and there will likely be no competition when they are introduced.
For example, a company selling a new product will do everything in their power to prevent its rivals from competing with them.
While invention works towards eliminating competitors in the market, innovation would develop the markets and may encounter direct or indirect competition.
Examples of Innovation vs Invention
What are the examples of innovation and invention?
Innovation
Examples include;
- OLED and QLED TVs
- iPhone and other Apple products
- Passenger-carrying drone
- Virtual reality (VR)
- Augmented reality (AR)
- Wrinkle-free suits
- Small electric cars
- Almond milk and oat milk
Examples of Invention
- Gasoline automobile engines were invented by Karl Franklin Benz
- Airplanes were invented by the Wright Brothers
- Steam turbines were invented by Charles Parsons
- Diesel engine was invented by Rudolf Diesel
- The computer was invented by Charles Babbage
Innovation vs Invention: Comparison Chart
| Innovation | Invention | |
| Definition | Innovation is defined as the act of innovating, the introduction of something new in rites, customs, etc. | The act of inventing or being creative to invent a device or process that has never been manufactured before. |
| Concept | Practical implementation of new ideas | The original idea and its working in theory |
| What it is? | Adding value to something already exists | Creation of new products or process |
| Occurs when | Adding value to something that already exists | Occurs when new ides strike scientists |
| Required skills | Set of marketing, technical, and strategic skills | Requires scientific skills to create a device or process that has never been manufactured before. |
Also Read: Practical vs Practicable: Difference and Comparison
Conclusion
The English dictionary defines the term “innovation” as the act of innovating, or introducing something new. Invention is a noun, something invented by someone with an innovative idea.
Invention can be the new process of manufacturing a product or making an improvement to existing products. It can be patented in order to provide security to the inventor for intellectual property rights and to also acknowledge the invention.
Innovation is the implementation of ideas for a new product or process, made for the first time. Invention is related to the manufacturing of new products.
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References
- KeyDifferences: Difference Between Invention and Innovation
- MITIDINNOVATION: What Is The Difference Between Innovation And Invention?
- DigitalLeardership: Innovation vs Invention: Definition, Difference & Importance
- Britannica: innovation
- Britannica: invention
