Enterprise and Innovation in Historical Perspective

Entrepreneurship and innovation are known to be crucial drivers of business development and economic growth. But where do these two dimensions of progress come from? In this course we examine the historical origins of creative ideas and how they have materialized throughout modern era. We will discuss the history of innovation in technology, art, and other fields, seeking to understand both its causes and its implications. How did the Scientific Revolution, from Galileo to Newton, affect technological progress? What forces – social, political and cultural – made Britain the engine of inventions during the Industrial Revolution? Why are Jews prominent in business and science? These are the kinds of questions we will look at, focusing on several cases from the past and the present to understand how creative ideas, guided by entrepreneurial action have turned into useful innovations.