Invention takes many forms, shaped by time, place, and perspective. For Dr. Lonnie Johnson, it began with tinkering in his family’s home in Mobile, Alabama, and evolved into a career spanning the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and ultimately the founding of Johnson Research and Development Co., Inc. For Franziska Trautmann, CEO and co-founder of Glass Half Full, it started in New Orleans as a grassroots effort to transform discarded glass into sand to help restore fragile coastlines.
Both recently shared insights into their journeys during Masters of Invention: Unlocking the Innovator in You!, the latest installment in the VentureWell Innovation in Action (VIA) Learning Series. The conversation, moderated by Dr. Dedric A. Carter, vice chancellor for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development and chief innovation officer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, brought together innovators from different generations, backgrounds, and industries to explore what drives invention and how it shapes impact.
The inventors offered a rare look at innovation across generations—two distinct paths leading to shared lessons on persistence, creativity, and responsibility.
Dr. Lonnie Johnson: Playing the Long Game
Johnson spoke with humor and candor about his decades of work. While many know him as the inventor of the Super Soaker, he emphasized his company’s focus on energy solutions and advanced technology. “The toy gave me freedom,” he reflected, “but the real goal has always been sustainable energy.” He recounted how some of his ideas were met with skepticism for years before gaining traction—reminding listeners that innovation often means holding onto a vision long enough for the world to catch up.
“Sometimes you’re so far ahead of the curve that people think you’re wrong—until the world finally circles back.”—Dr. Lonnie Johnson
At one point, Johnson remarked on how long recognition can take for breakthrough ideas: “Sometimes you’re so far ahead of the curve that people think you’re wrong—until the world finally circles back.” The observation highlighted his central message: Patience and persistence are as critical as invention itself.
Franziska Trautmann: Urgency Meets Community
Trautmann’s path couldn’t feel more different in pace. As co-founder of Glass Half Full, she shared how urgency drives her team’s work: “We didn’t have the luxury of waiting for perfect conditions—we just started.” What began with neighborhood glass collections has evolved into a model for circular innovation, blending environmental impact with community engagement. She stressed that young innovators must embrace risk and lean on their networks early, even before their ventures are fully formed.
One especially memorable reflection came when she described her first makeshift collection runs with friends in pickup trucks—long before they had a warehouse or official systems. “It wasn’t polished,” she admitted, “but it proved people cared; and that was enough to keep going.”
Converging Insights
The two stories diverged in tempo—one measured in decades, the other in months—but converged on a set of shared fundamentals:
- Breakthroughs demand resilience and a tolerance for failure.
- Collaboration is essential, whether through investors, mentors, or community allies.
- Innovation carries ethical responsibility—whether it’s advancing energy sustainability or reshaping waste into restoration.
Key Takeaways
For universities and ecosystem builders, these stories offer a powerful reminder: Innovation doesn’t follow one path. Some breakthroughs require sustained research and patient investment. Others thrive when ideas are tested quickly and scaled through grassroots energy. Both approaches deserve support structures that provide flexibility, resources, and room for boldness.
As Dr. Carter noted in closing: “Innovation isn’t linear. What matters is creating the conditions for it to take root—whether it’s in a lab, a garage, or a community workshop.”
Watch the full recording (use passcode 55#ZH*v7 ) to explore additional insights from Johnson, Trautmann, and Carter.