Exaptation in Everyday Life Discovering new uses for familiar features and inventions

We’re all familiar with adaptation, how things change to fit new needs, but what about exaptation? Sometimes features, tools, or ideas developed for one purpose end up serving a completely different one, often by chance.

This process, called exaptation, explains many surprising advances in nature, technology, and organizations. If you’re interested in how old things can take on new roles and lead to innovation, read more in my blook as part of my growing chapter on innovation.

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