An electromagnet is a device that emits a magnetic field that is produced by an electric current. The first practical electromagnet was invented by William Sturgeon in 1824 in England. It was later perfected by Joseph Henry who was able to make a more powerful version. The invention of the electromagnet made long distance communication like telegraphs and telephones possible. It also helped to develop effective generators and motors.
EV1
The EV1 was the first modern mass produced all-electric car. It was designed by GM for a mass market and consumers could charge their cars at home overnight. Although the car was discontinued because of high production costs and it not being commercially viable, the car sparked interest within environmental groups and showed potential in the electric vehicle industry.
Microwave Oven
The Microwave oven was developed from radar technology during WW2. The technology was adapted for the purpose of heating food. Because of the huge popularity of the microwave oven manufactures created food specifically designed to be heated in a microwave and also microwave safe items.
TV Dinners
The frozen TV dinner was introduced in 1954 by Swanson. It built off the success of the TV set by advertising itself as a easy to prepare meal that families could enjoy in front of their TV's. Families could now just heat a prepackaged meal into the oven, enjoy it with their favorite shows, and then dispose of the tray afterwards. It was extremely convenient because people didn't have to go through the trouble of preparing a dish and then cleaning the dishes afterwards.
Railroad
The railroads allowed for goods to be transported quickly throughout the country. Goods could be sent nearly anywhere in the country within two weeks. This meant that businesses could reach markets that they previously could not reach. Consumers now had access to a larger selection of goods that were previously difficult to obtain.
Important Innovation Questions
What problem am I trying to solve? This is the first step in any innovation. You need to know what you are trying to solve before you can solve it. Who is my target audience? Knowing who your audience is important so you can cater your product and advertisements to a specific group. What are my assets, aspirations, and market realities? Your soft and hard assets play a role in your competitive advantage. They are what you can use to help you reach your goal. Aspirations are what you are trying to ultimately achieve. Knowing the market realities can help you adapt to the surrounding environment. Who can help me develop my innovation? Seeking the help of others is critical to finding a new perspective. You should never asumme that you have all the answers because other people could have knowledge that could help you.