Research and Testing Precede Commercialization

I titled this post very specifically. Some people seem to have forgotten that all of the wonderful (and, frankly, some of the not so wonderful) inventions of all time started with ideas that were researched and tested and took time to find their footing and, sometimes, their markets. Sometimes they were ahead of their time or just too expensive to bring to production at a cost that was practical. Sometimes, it just took a team to build on the seed of an idea and make it great. Sometimes the ideas just needed time and research to reach fullsomeness.

I was remnided of this when I watched this video:

Kodak 1922 Kodachrome Film Test

Watch This Color Movie, From Before Movies Were In Color

OK, think about it. This movie was in beautiful colour in 1922 (1922!) and this isn’t even the first colour movie. It took years before we saw the great colour films (my favourites Gone With The Wind and Wizard of OZ being among the first great ones). I recall once hearing that colour TV preceded B&W TV but that may be apochryphal.

Anyway, it’s good to remember when someone says something different or great can never, ever happen when they are looking at some innovation in technology, or libraries or whatever. Really? Remember when people told it was technically impossible to stream a movie over telephone loines? It takes time to reach success. It also take someone to plant and nurture the seed. It takes no time to criticize. It does take time to offer constructive criticism. It does take time to have an informed opinion. It does take time to experience the innovation and think critically about it.

Black and white films were awesome in their day and still remain great for artistic purposes. Colour was better for most. I’d hate to still be living in a B&W world instead of having a full range of options. And just imagine the world of entertainment without sound – or without silence.

Anyway, what’s the library angle? Libraries are there at or just after the planting of the idea seed. The seed sprouts and libraries are part of that research, innovation and testing cycle that nurtures ideas – in communities, in business, in academia, and beyond. Take away libraries and your strangle innovation.

Stephen