Innovation as manifesting imagination: exploring the role of imaginations and imaginators in the innovation process

The idea of something to be realised, the imagination of a certain product, technology, service or even concept of living and social organisation has often been formulated, picked-up, reiterated and discussed over time. It influences the general social imagination as well as contemporary innovation processes and prepares for future innovation before the actual problem-solution cycle kicks in and starts the known innovation process. This article explores the role of imagination in the innovation process by focusing on the most suitable kind of imagination for our field of research - science fiction. Two cases, the historic one of Wernher von Braun and the contemporary one of Elon Musk, are used to explore the influence of imaginators on innovation and show: 1) how imaginations drive innovation; 2) how firms and entrepreneurs could proactively put them to use.