Unlocking Innovation: How Building on Existing Ideas Sparks Breakthroughs

We often believe that fresh, groundbreaking ideas come from abandoning all previous knowledge and completely reimagining the world. When a project fails, the common phrase is, "Let's start with a clean slate." Similarly, when we want to transform our lifestyle, we think, "We need to begin anew." However, true creative breakthroughs seldom arise when starting from zero.

Consider this example from biology.

Scientists suggest that bird feathers evolved from reptilian scales. Through evolution, scales gradually transformed into down feathers, initially serving to retain warmth. Over time, these small feathers grew longer, eventually enabling birds to fly. This was a gradual process of refining and expanding on existing structures.

Human flight followed a similar path. While the Wright brothers are often credited as pioneers of controlled flight, early aviation trailblazers like Otto Lilienthal, Samuel Langley, and Octave Chanute laid crucial groundwork. The Wright brothers built their first airplane by studying and improving upon the work of these engineers.

The most innovative solutions often arise from combining existing ideas. Creative thinkers don't invent entirely new concepts; instead, they identify connections others overlook. In fact, the most effective approach is to improve a working system by just 1%, rather than dismantling it entirely and starting from scratch.

Build On What Exists Instead of Reinventing the Wheel

We rarely appreciate the complexity behind the everyday world around us. For example, when buying a toaster, few consider the intricate processes involved before it reaches the store shelf. First, iron ore must be mined to produce steel, and petroleum extracted to create plastic.

In 2010, British designer Thomas Thwaites embarked on a project to build a toaster entirely by himself. He dismantled a toaster to identify the materials needed: primarily plastic, nickel, and steel.

Thwaites sourced iron ore from a local mine, which surprisingly granted him access. However, oil companies were less cooperative, forcing him to melt down old plastic pieces to fabricate the toaster's body. He also melted coins to extract nickel.

"I realized that starting from zero could take half a lifetime just to build a single toaster."

— Thomas Thwaites, British Designer

Despite the challenges, this experiment taught him invaluable lessons, later chronicled in a book.

Often, we overlook how interconnected everything in life truly is. We focus on the end result without recognizing the countless processes that make it possible.

If you’re tackling a complex problem, remember the ideas and methods that already exist and have stood the test of time.

So, instead of starting from scratch, build upon what’s already proven.

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