How True Innovation Rewires Human Potential
In the early 19th century, the introduction of the steam locomotive was considered one of the most reckless innovations of its time. Critics warned that travelling at unprecedented speeds of 30 miles per hour could have dire health consequences, such as causing asphyxia or disorientation. Farmers feared that the noise and smoke would scare livestock and damage crops. Canal operators and stagecoach companies decried it as the end of traditional transportation methods. Some newspapers published alarming articles predicting catastrophic accidents and societal disruption due to this new mode of travel.
Today, it's almost unimaginable to think of a world without trains and the vast railway networks that connect cities and countries. The steam locomotive reshaped economies, accelerated industrialisation, and transformed societies. But the initial resistance it faced carries an important lesson for modern entrepreneurs: the more fundamental your innovation, the more visceral the opposition it encounters. Having spent close to two decades investing in and managing businesses, I've observed this pattern repeatedly.
When Airbnb first proposed that strangers could rent rooms in each other's homes, hotel executives and city officials reacted with the same alarm as those early critics of the steam engine. When food delivery apps suggested restaurants could thrive without dining rooms with a cloud kitchen model, traditional restaurateurs scoffed, much like canal owners dismissed the potential of railways.
The parallels are striking. Just as the steam locomotive faced accusations of being dangerously fast and unnatural, today's innovations often face criticism for challenging established norms. Remote work is criticised for making collaboration "too impersonal," digital banking for making finance "too detached," and telemedicine for making healthcare "too remote”. But it's precisely by challenging these norms that innovation paves the way for new forms of engagement and efficiency that were previously unimaginable.
But here's what the critics of the steam locomotive missed—and what today's sceptics often overlook: true innovation doesn't just make things faster or easier; it fundamentally changes human behaviour and creates new possibilities. Before railways, long-distance travel and the transport of goods were slow and limited. The steam locomotive democratised travel, enabled rapid industrial growth, and forever altered societal norms.
The same transformative potential exists in today's groundbreaking innovations. Remote work isn't just about convenience—it's about democratising opportunities across geographic boundaries. Such innovations create entirely new paradigms of human capability that we couldn't even imagine needing before. They unlock latent human potential, enabling us to achieve feats that were once relegated to the realm of science fiction.
Yet, there's wisdom in the skepticism that the steam locomotive faced. Concerns about safety, environmental impact, and social disruption were not entirely unfounded. The industry didn't succeed by ignoring these issues; it innovated further by improving safety standards, developing better technologies, and establishing regulations to address public concerns.
This is perhaps the most crucial lesson for today's entrepreneurs: valid criticism shouldn't derail innovation—it should guide it. When cities express concerns about e-scooters cluttering sidewalks, the solution isn't to abandon urban mobility innovation but to develop better docking systems and regulatory frameworks. When critics highlight AI's potential biases, the answer isn't to halt AI development but to build more transparent and equitable algorithms.
Looking back, it's easy to assume that technologies like the steam locomotive were universally embraced. But understanding the resistance they overcame—and how they addressed legitimate concerns—offers valuable insights for modern innovators. The next time a new business model is labelled "too risky" or "too disruptive," remember that even the most transformative technologies had to surmount tremendous scepticism.
For entrepreneurs today, this history offers both encouragement and a challenge. The encouragement: if the steam locomotive could overcome significant opposition to become a cornerstone of modern society, your innovation can too. The challenge: true innovation requires not just technical brilliance, but also the persistence to address concerns and the wisdom to learn from them.