SCHEMES OF PRACTICAL UTILITY - ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION AMONG GREAT INVENTORS IN THE UNITED-STATES, 1790-1865
成果类型：
Article; Proceedings Paper
署名作者：
University of California System; University of California Los Angeles; National Bureau of Economic Research
刊物名称：
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC HISTORY
ISSN/ISSBN：
0022-0507
DOI：
10.1017/S0022050700012924
发表日期：
1993
页码：
289-307
关键词：
摘要：
The growth in inventive activity during early American industrialization is explored by examining the careers of 160 inventors credited with important technological discoveries. Analysis of biographical information and complete patent histories through 1865 indicates that these ''great inventors'' were entrepreneurial and responded systematically to market demand. Their inventions were procyclical and originated disproportionately from localities linked with extensive markets. Although unexceptional in terms of schooling or technical skills, they vigorously pursued the returns to their inventions, redirected their inventive activity to meet emerging needs, and were distinguished by high geographical mobility toward districts conducive to invention and its commercialization.