POSTED: JUNE 28, 2024
What’s the difference between an inventor and an innovator? Was Nicola Tesla an inventor or an innovator? What about computer prototyper Ada Lovelace? Was Frederick Jones, who received more than 60 patents related to refrigeration technologies, engines, sound equipment and X-ray machines, an inventor or an innovator?
The Science Museum is currently hosting the Discover Steampunk exhibition, which is full of retro-futuristic inventions. So, we’re wondering: what makes someone an inventor and what makes someone an innovator? And, can you be both?!
Discover Steampunk gave us a resource for helping explain it: Bruce Rosenbaum. As a designer, Rosenbaum has earned the nickname Steampunk Guru by combining art, technology and history with a unique retro-futuristic fashion.
“Simply put, inventing is thinking and making,” Rosenbaum said. “It’s looking at a problem and coming up with a way to physically change it to make something that will allow your problem to be solved.”
Rosenbaum says invention proceeds innovation. Once a new invention is implemented with impact, then we have an innovation on our hands.