We Innovate Together

Abstract

This chapter introduces the economic problem of the origin of innovation. It observes that we don’t really understand the origins of innovation very well, particularly the origin of entrepreneurship. It points out that this is a weakness for innovation theory, and particularly Schumpeterian or evolutionary economic theory, as well as for innovation policy that is built upon such frameworks. Introducing the meaning of a commons, the chapter connects this to the innovation problem, working through several stories about the origin of innovation in terms of mountain bikes, computers, and modern science. It also discusses the role of group formation and governance in this early stage process.