The Origins of the New
Novelty and Innovation in the History of Life, Culture, and Technology
Book •
Douglas H. Erwin's 'The Origins of the New' proposes a four-phase framework—potentiation, novelty, refinement, and innovation—to explain how new characters and ideas arise and later succeed or fail.
Drawing on paleontology, developmental biology, economics, and history, Erwin distinguishes the creation of novelties from the contingent processes that make them innovations.
He illustrates the framework with examples from the origin of vertebrate limbs, turtle shells, grasses, human language, and technological milestones like the Antikythera mechanism.
The book argues that innovation often requires restructuring networks and the creation of 'opportunity spaces,' frequently supported by public goods and basic research.
Erwin aims to unify perspectives across disciplines to better understand how enduring new forms emerge and spread.
Drawing on paleontology, developmental biology, economics, and history, Erwin distinguishes the creation of novelties from the contingent processes that make them innovations.
He illustrates the framework with examples from the origin of vertebrate limbs, turtle shells, grasses, human language, and technological milestones like the Antikythera mechanism.
The book argues that innovation often requires restructuring networks and the creation of 'opportunity spaces,' frequently supported by public goods and basic research.
Erwin aims to unify perspectives across disciplines to better understand how enduring new forms emerge and spread.
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Eleonora Mattiacci
Douglas H. Erwin, "The Origins of the New: Novelty and Innovation in the History of Life, Culture, and Technology" (Princeton UP, 2026)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()
![undefined]()
Eleonora Mattiacci
Douglas H. Erwin
Douglas H. Erwin, "The Origins of the New: Novelty and Innovation in the History of Life, Culture, and Technology" (Princeton UP, 2026)
