From where do the ideas for revolutionary technology come? Do innovative ideas derive from years of experience with a sport and intimate knowledge of the game? Or do real revolutionary ideas come from those uninitiated in the sport -- its culture and history

While many technological innovations have come from those who competed in a particular sport, the revolutionary ideas often come from those outside the sporting community. The outsiders are often able to bring new ideas to a sport and are less encumbered by the way things were always done. Howard Head thought nothing of playing with a large-head racket that to tennis purists looked outrageous. Two non-golfing scientists thought nothing of filling in some of the dimples on golf balls to reduce hooks and slices. Idea transfer from military technology to ski design or tennis technology to golf club design exemplifies how distance, creativity, and new perspectives yield truly revolutionary technologies.

      • Composite Ski
      • Ping Club
      • Howard Head
      • Polara ball
      • Developing the polara