Keynote: Innovation and Environmental Ground Water Monitoring in Defense of Laziness

The presentation will describe the lessons learned from the author’s 25 years of experience in inventing and introducing new technologies used for environmental ground water monitoring.  It will examine the changes from the invention and introduction of the first patented product in the late 1980’s, to the latest product, introduced in the early 2000’s, which is still increasing in use and acceptance. 

Also addressed will be the considerable creative and economic challenges from the private technology developer’s perspective.  Topics will include; where the ideas come from, the value of laziness, the creative process in general, linear versus shotgun thinking, facing the “what have I done?” moments, and the financial implications the inventor faces.

Reasons for the slow pace of change and acceptance of new ideas in the environmental sampling market will also be discussed.  Including why does the market exist at all?  What incentive is there for people to change?  Everyone has an agenda.  What factors seem to accelerate innovative technology acceptance the most?

Finally, the sobering odds of a new technology actually making it to the marketplace, being accepted and also being economically viable will be addressed.