The face of an innovator

An innovator isn't someone who invents something. That's an inventor (apparently). An innovator is a person that develops a new behavior around an idea or a technology. And who tries to find out how to make use of it and how to profit from it.

Love them.

They are the ones who take the high risks of failing. They are the one who accept high costs only to "find out". And they are the ones who pave the way for new products that eventually will be in a store near you.

Tim Bennecker in Tahoma, Washington is an innovator. He now probably evaluates what way he best can make use of his 1,700-gallon underground rainwater cistern in his yard. The system that set him back almost $5,000 now can be used to irrigate the lawn, flush the toilets and wash his clothes. But it won't make him rich. In fact he never expect  to see a positive net. He just would like to test it.

However I wouldn't be so sure. What so wonderful with innovative people and technology is that they love each other so much. Cause what wouldn't you be able to to with your own cistern:

- Start selling irrigation to your neighbors
- Become a flourist
- Add purification technology and get better-than-bottled-water for free

But also. Innovation isn't always about saving or making money. How about building waterfalls and water sculptures in the yard, things that otherwise would have been too expensive.

My point is: innovators are not necessarily driven by dreams of wealth. They want to find solutions on annoying or interesting problems. On their way, they may however stumble on "the big thing". And that's when we will remember them.