Josiah Wedgwood: the world’s greatest innovator

Abstract ‘Josiah Wedgwood: the world’s greatest innovator’ looks at the important contribution made by a Staffordshire potter to an improved quality of life and work in the society in which he lived. Josiah Wedgwood (1730–95) was a product innovator, constantly searching for innovation in the materials he used and design forms of his pottery, seeking out collaboration with other companies, artists, and industries. He made significant contributions to building national infrastructure, helped create a dynamic regional industry, pioneered new export markets, and positively influenced government policies. He invested extensively in the training and skills development of his employees and introduced a remarkable number of marketing and retailing innovations.