Historical Innovation In A Niche Technical Museum And How New Narratives Of Innovation May Be Employed- A Case Study Of Airways Museum And The Australian D.M.E. And Interscan Innovations

Abstract

Airways Museum is a niche historical museum that holds artefacts highlighting Australian innovation in radiophysics and the application of this science to the development of various post-war air navigational aids. The Museum remains a niche technical museum with limited visitor engagement outside specialised aviation circles. This lack of engagement means that many people remain unaware of the key role Australians played as world leaders in developing these navigational aids that revolutionised modern civil aviation. This important story deserves wider recognition. I have used aspects of modern innovation theory, particularly collaboration and creative problem-solving, to provide a framework for deciphering and explaining historical innovation concentrating on Australian innovation in the development of two air navigational aids between 1946-1971. These innovations transformed air safety operations in Australia and established global benchmarks- the Australian Distance Measuring Equipment (D.M.E) and the Interscan Landing System, are housed at Airways Museum.

These critical innovations remain in the operational background of aviation history; however, they were significant and integral to the operation of safe flight, with the D.M.E. still in use today. These radar applications had significant flow-on economic and social benefits within Australian aviation. I have also examined the operationalization of innovation concepts demonstrated in other museums of various scales, which have incorporated aspects of innovation theory and language in their curatorial and research practices. Based on these studies, I have used some examples that may assist a niche technical museum to gain relevance today. The historical innovation story can serve as an example and a blueprint for further innovation narratives.