Breakthroughs!

A study of individuals from eighteen companies who made worldwide commercial breakthroughs, with information on the conflicts, concepts, creativity, and climate that let a good idea break every barrier and become a fixture in millions of lives

Tracing 13 commercial breakthroughs, from concept to realization, that have created new industries and markets affecting millions of lives, Ketteringham and Nayak, senior consultants with the Arthur D. Little management firm, find few common denominators or patterns characterizing the breakthrough process or specific conditions favoring it. Often a combination of ideas, persons, resources, circumstances, timing and serendipity are needed to produce such innovations as Walkman, CAT scan, the ulcer-healing drug Tagamet, microwave ovens and Federal Express. As these engrossing stories testify, some breakthroughs came about because of a need perceived and fulfilled by an individual such as the 50-year-old Arthur Jones whose fervent desire to develop his muscles led to the invention of the Nautilus exercise machines. Other breakthroughs resulted from the shared visions of a team of scientists or engineers and the efforts of several competitive companies like those in Japan that contributed to the development of the VCR. Every breakthrough, the authors conclude, is rooted in someone's obsessive urge to solve a problem.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This book stems from a project launched by Arthur D. Little, Inc. in observance of its centennial. A team of A.D. Little consultants set out to examine the creative processes in individuals and organizations which have resulted in commercial project breakthroughs. The results are reported in in-depth analyses of the development and marketing of such products as the Walkman, Post-it pads, Chemlawn, and the Cat scanner. Breakthroughs differs from other recent books in this area in the expertise of its authors and in the thoughtful consideration they give to the subject. Recommended for public and academic library business collections. Elin B. Christianson, Library Consultant, Hobart, Ind.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.