Windsurfing Quote by Eric von Hippel
““high-performance windsurfing techniques and equipment in Hawaii by an informal user group. High-performance windsurfing involves acrobatics such as jumps and flips and turns in mid-air. Larry Stanley, a pioneer in high-performance windsurfing, described the development of a major innovation in technique and equipment””
About This Quote
Source Article: Research Policy, 2005, “User Innovation”
User communities can develop advanced techniques and tools, often outpacing formal R&D.
In simple terms: Users innovate quickly.
Key Takeaway
Leverage user expertise.
Themes
innovation
community
technology
grassroots
Mood
inspirational
pragmatic
Type
academic
business
When to use this quote
- product design
- sports equipment
- software tools
- DIY projects
Key Concepts
open innovation
user‑driven development
Questions to Reflect On
- How can firms integrate user ideas responsibly?
- What support structures help user innovators?
A Different Perspective
User innovations may lack rigorous testing or standards.
