Innovation never stops when you are MIT
In a recent article MIT has been credited with creating the 1st reusable and stable “living leaf” capable of full photosynthesis and able to generate power. www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-03/28/artificial-leaf
While this may seen an incredible feat of science the technology was readily available in the past. The process to commercialize it and more, make it stable for mass production is the center-point for the innovation cycle. In many ways, which is highly ignored, 1st to market, or 1st to science in the case of the credited inventor of the earliest working designs does NOT = the person or firm being given credit or even economic benefit for the success of the work/innovation/design.
Here MIT demonstrates that the process is the point and the innovation is the end result of the effort from discovery through to commercialization. Not to mention a sizable economic benefit from the entire process when handled correctly.