Imagination: The eternal womb of human creativity
Behind every scientific achievement and entrepreneurial success, lies an almost mystic energy form called imagination. It can be a vision, a hypothesis or an abstract idea. A reality not yet existing, but with the potential to exist. Imagination is where everything begins, the eternal flame of human development and creativity.
Literature as a Prophecy of Innovation
A typical example can be found in the stories of Jules Vern: he journeyed deep in the seas with his mind, inventing the first “Nautilous” decades prior to the construction of the first functioning submarine.
H. G. Wells, with his “Invisible Man” and “Time Machine”, described concepts that can be found in quantum mechanics and the most complex theories of time-space science.
Arthur C. Clarke predicted geostationary satellites and artificial intelligence before they were even technically comprehended.
Not all of them were scientists, but they imagined the concepts prior to the inventions. And then comes the realisation:
Imagination precedes theory.
And theory, turned into application, changes the world.
Imagination in Entrepreneurial History
This condition is rooted deeply into entrepreneurship through the entirety of human history.
Jason and The Argonauts, although legendary figures, embodied the ancient desire for exploring new business routes and seeking wealth beyond the known world.
Similarly, merchants from China, Central Asia and the Mediterranean envisioned the Silk Road way before it turned into reality.
Centuries later, the great sea explorers of the Age of Discovery such as Christopher Colombus, Vasco da Gama and Magellan, leaned on the same mental force. They didn’t travel using maps, but imagination, courage and visions.
Their expeditions were not grounded on what was known, but on what they imagined might exist. And this precisely is the characteristic of pioneers: they don’t describe the world as is, but instead they shape it as it could be.
Imagination Behind Modern
Business Giants
In recent years, similarly daring visions brought some of the most profound business successes to life.
Walt Disney began with a bold vision for a new world of entertainment and managed to create an entire empire that shook the amusement world to its core.
Airbnb was created when two designers decided to turn their personal space into an accommodation for conferrers, originating a platform that altered the global hospitality industry entirely.
Apple was born from the vision of its founders for personal computers that are accessible to all, a vision that redefined technology and our way of life.
Imagination as the Core of Future Entrepreneurship
In today’s world, and most importantly the future’s, entrepreneurship isn’t simply the art of managing capital and organizations.
It is the ability to imagine something that doesn't yet exist and shaping it into reality.
Detect invisible needs
Recognize emerging social issues
Create meaningful, viable business with actual impact