When people think of innovation, they often imagine groundbreaking discoveries—things that never existed before, like the lightbulb or the airplane. However, innovation isn’t always about creating something entirely new. More often, it’s about finding new ways to use existing inventions, processes, or ideas.
Some of the greatest innovations in history didn’t involve invention at all but rather repurposing, reimagining, or applying existing concepts in a different way. From kitchen staples to medical breakthroughs, many of today’s most important products exist not because someone invented something new, but because someone found a new use for something old.
In this article, we will explore how innovation is often about seeing existing possibilities differently and highlight real-life examples of how repurposing ideas has led to some of the most successful products and industries.
Table of Contents
Innovation vs. Invention
- Invention – The birth of something new: An invention is a completely new creation—something that didn’t exist before. It involves original thinking, research, and development to bring a novel concept to life. Examples of inventions include the telephone, the airplane, and the internet.
- Innovation – Doing something differently: An innovation, on the other hand, improves or repurposes an existing invention, process, or idea to make it more useful, efficient, or accessible. Innovation is about applying knowledge in new ways to create value.
Innovation doesn’t have to be dramatic; sometimes, a simple shift in perspective can change an entire industry. Let’s explore some of the most notable examples of repurposed inventions that led to massive innovations.
Examples of repurposed innovations
The microwave oven
While working with radar technology, Percy Spencer noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket melted while he was standing near an active magnetron (a device used in radar systems). Instead of dismissing it as a coincidence, he explored the phenomenon and realized that microwaves could heat food quickly. This led to the development of the microwave oven, repurposing a military technology into a kitchen essential.
Play-Doh
Play-Doh wasn’t always a toy. It was originally invented as a wallpaper cleaner to remove coal dust in homes. However, as heating systems improved, demand for wallpaper cleaner declined. A schoolteacher discovered that kids enjoyed molding the putty, leading to Play-Doh’s rebranding as a children’s toy—now a multi-million-dollar business.
Listerine
Listerine was originally formulated as a surgical antiseptic. Later, it was marketed for various industrial and medical uses, including as a floor cleaner and even a treatment for gonorrhea. However, when its makers repurposed it as a solution for bad breath (halitosis) in the 1920s, it became a household staple in oral hygiene.
Bubble Wrap
Bubble Wrap was never meant to be a packaging material. It was invented as a textured wallpaper in 1957, but the idea failed. Instead of discarding it, the inventors repurposed it as protective packaging, now widely used for shipping fragile items.
Coca-Cola
Dr. John Pemberton originally created Coca-Cola as a medicinal tonic in the late 1800s, containing coca leaves and caffeine to treat fatigue and headaches. It was later repositioned as a refreshing beverage, transforming it into one of the most recognized brands in the world.
WD-40
WD-40 was originally designed to prevent rust on nuclear missiles. When it was found to be effective for loosening stuck bolts, stopping squeaky doors, and preventing corrosion, it became a household must-have.
The Slinky
The Slinky was invented when naval engineer Richard James was working on stabilizing springs for ship equipment. When a spring accidentally “walked” down a table, he saw potential, leading to the creation of one of the best-selling toys of all time.
The Super Soaker
NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson was working on a heat pump system when he accidentally discovered a mechanism that shot water at high velocity. He repurposed it into the Super Soaker, one of the most successful water guns in history.
Post-it Notes
3M scientist Dr. Spencer Silver developed a weak adhesive that couldn’t hold things permanently. It seemed like a failure—until a colleague repurposed it to create repositionable sticky notes, leading to the creation of Post-it Notes, an office essential.
Duct Tape
Duct tape was developed during World War II as a waterproof tape to seal ammunition boxes. After the war, people found it useful for household repairs, making it one of the most versatile tools today.
The Frisbee
The Frisbee originated as pie tins from the Frisbie Pie Company that college students tossed around for fun. Recognizing the potential, Wham-O repurposed the idea into a plastic flying disc, turning it into a global toy success.
Innovation is about perspective
Innovation isn’t always about creating something new from scratch. It’s often about rethinking, repurposing, and reimagining what already exists. Whether it’s a failed invention that finds a new purpose or an accidental discovery that transforms an industry, history proves that real breakthroughs often come from looking at old things in new ways.
So, the next time you think about innovation, ask yourself: What already exists that can be used in a new way? That’s where real progress happens.
