From Invention to Innovation: The Entrepreneurial Journey of the Compact Disc

While inventors may create groundbreaking technologies, entrepreneurs are essential in transforming these inventions into marketable innovations. This transformation often involves repurposing technology for different applications and creating a demand that did not previously exist. In the case of the CD, Russell invented the technology, but it was Sony and Philips who established the CD as an industry standard by finding ways to market it effectively for both audio and data storage. This demonstrates that innovation requires both technological development and strategic market creation, emphasizing the entrepreneurial role in turning an invention into a widely adopted product.