Scott Berkun

Myths of Innovation – research accuracy

The best selling book The Myths of Innovation was based on significant research into Innovation history. To ensure maximum enjoyment of the book, this page is where all corrections, errata or research issues for the book will be listed and explored.

Research accuracy

• Pg 128, Dewey. John Dewey did not invent the Dewey decimal system. Melvil Dewey, no relation, did in 1876. (Confirmed error)
• Pg 115, it is written that the Japanese invented firearms years before Europeans. However the reference to “The Evolution of Technology”, p. 189, doesn’t mention this, and on the contrary p. 188 states that firearms were introduced to the Japanese by the Portuguese in 1543. (Investigating)

Typos and errata

• Pg 12 Fennyman should be Feynman.
• Pg 19: “the Stone is a more of” should be “The stone is more of”.
• Pg 39 Goethe quote is possibly mis-attributed (see also).
• Pg 43 Middle: Ray Kroc’s name is misspelled “Ray Crok”.
• Pg 43 Craiglist should be Craigslist.
• Pg 49 Craiglist should be Craigslist.
• Pg 49 This well never work -> This will never work.
• Pg 74 Bottom: Von Braun’s name is misspelled as “Van Braun”.
• Pg 74 Bottom: Zworykin is misspelled as Zworkin.
• (Figure 6-4) Pg 89: At bottom of chart: “mediation” should be “meditation”?
• Pg 104 Top: “manager” is misspelled “manger”
• Pg 114 Middle: “affects us” should be than “effects us”?
• Pg 121 Correct Voltaire quote is “The best is the enemy of the good”
• Pg 129 “succeed” should be “succeeded”
• Pg 145 “a matter if time” should be “a matter of time”
• Pg 150: “Businness” should be “Business”
• Pg 150 Middle: “canon” is misspelled “cannon”
• Pg 158 Middle: “Eureka” is misspelled “Eurkea”

If you have something to add, please contact me.

All confirmed errors will be updated in the next printed edition of the book.

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