Smithsonian.com

Very cool. Looking forward to reading it.

Comment by Patrick Kiger — July 26, 2011 @ 6:23 pm

I’m very interested in this new blog – and your timing is impeccable… Are you interested in guest posts?

Comment by Sharon Corsaro — July 29, 2011 @ 1:50 am

This is a great subject for a new blog from Smithsonian. Looking forward to reading more and have already added it to my RSS feeds. Thanks!

Comment by Aaron Huertas — July 29, 2011 @ 8:21 pm

This is a great idea for a blog — it’s what everybody wants to know! … did you see the piece in today’s NYT on electronic vs. paper calendars? there’s a lot to be said on the different ways our brains engage when we do things longhand, vs. electronically. I wonder if innovative people may go back to drawing and handwriting?

Comment by Beverly Jones — July 31, 2011 @ 11:30 am

Great blog! When will the writer post results from his comparison shop on personal jet-paks?

Comment by Peter Esmonde — July 31, 2011 @ 12:48 pm

To Dr. Esmonde: More research is required.

Comment by Randy Rieland — July 31, 2011 @ 11:19 pm

Thanks, Sharon…Just getting set up and will let you know.

Comment by Randy Rieland — July 31, 2011 @ 11:20 pm

Thanks, Aaron

Comment by Randy Rieland — July 31, 2011 @ 11:20 pm

Randy – Great topic for a blog; I’ll keep coming back to find cool ideas I might rip off in my own work.

Love the concrete examples of innovation you’re starting to collect. Here’s one that might deserve a closer look: Craig Newmark (the guy who, um, completely “innovated” in classifieds) has a community “do good” project called CraigConnects. Seen it?

http://craigconnects.org/

Comment by Christine Montgomery — August 1, 2011 @ 1:00 pm

I love this feature. I thought, however, that I would comment on the Department of Innovation meshing gears logo. The gears can’t turn. Perhaps that was the intended effect?

Comment by Jose C. — August 4, 2011 @ 3:11 pm

[...] back in January, the government-sponsored Smithsonian Institute has launched a new blog called “Department of Innovation”. As they describe [...]

Pingback by Michelle Malkin » Government logo fail of the day — August 7, 2011 @ 1:35 pm

[...] back in January, the government-sponsored Smithsonian Institute has launched a new blog called “Department of Innovation”. As they describe [...]

Pingback by Government logo fail of the day | Conservatives for America — August 7, 2011 @ 1:46 pm

3 interlocking gears, unable to ever turn. That’s a perfect logo on what people should expect.

Ossification isn’t just for bones…

Comment by Tristan Phillips — August 7, 2011 @ 2:51 pm

The logo depicts gears that cannot turn. It is poorly designed and totally uninspiring, as are most things from D.C. these days.

Comment by Jay Bradley — August 7, 2011 @ 2:59 pm

Great idea for a blog. I look forward to seeing what is discussed as long as it is more practical than the logo. That gear system is totally non-functional.

Comment by ToddG — August 7, 2011 @ 3:16 pm

We all realize don’t we, that the gears are ‘locked’ in that logo?

Comment by Glen Barrington — August 7, 2011 @ 3:29 pm

Great logo!! Three interlocking gears that can not move!! Awesome!! Perfect comment on the current administration.

Comment by hermann341 — August 7, 2011 @ 3:33 pm

“Big Dog”
“global economy”
“subtext”
“attitude adjustment”
“channeling”
“sound bite”
“in the spirit of”
“banging the drum”

How about changing the name to “Department of Nauseating Trendy Buzzwords?”

I followed a link from Michelle Malkin’s website thinking that it could not possibly be true that Smithsonian had put up a logo showing gears that won’t turn as a symbol of innovation. How very wrong I was.

Comment by Leslie — August 7, 2011 @ 3:42 pm

I love the innovative use of 19th century technology in the logo.

Comment by Rob — August 7, 2011 @ 3:49 pm

You may want to rework your logo a bit – 3 gears in this configuration will not be able to move in any direction. Kind of the opposite of what you want to communicate….

Comment by redheadwrites — August 7, 2011 @ 4:22 pm

Three interocking gears are how a “shaft brake” is formed. No gears in the gear-train can rotate when three gears interlock like that.

No movement, no innovation. Apt logo for a government department of innovation. Maybe the government should get out of the way….

Comment by dave — August 7, 2011 @ 4:28 pm

Very fitting logo. I agree that government-funded “innovation” is like a frozen gear system.

Comment by Brian — August 7, 2011 @ 4:36 pm

Your Innovation logo is perfect. Great representation of what is good in Government.

Comment by Carey — August 7, 2011 @ 4:58 pm

Jose,
That was my first thought also. The gears can’t turn. Typical for a government agency, all hat and no cattle.

Comment by Azygos — August 7, 2011 @ 5:06 pm

I know it’s a logo, and not a technical drawing, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a depiction of gears that could spin? The way they’re currently laid out, that doesn’t exactly scream “innovation.”

Comment by Claudio I. — August 7, 2011 @ 7:20 pm

HaHa! The gears can’t turn!!

Comment by john b — August 7, 2011 @ 8:33 pm

This department is as rediculous as the logo. Jose C has it right.

Comment by Tom B — August 7, 2011 @ 9:09 pm

Dude – your logo is full of fail. Those gears will lock up if you try to move them as shown. Total, epic fail.

Comment by Don — August 7, 2011 @ 9:11 pm

I hope the Department will not be as locked up as those gears in the logo. Oops!

Comment by Chris — August 7, 2011 @ 9:44 pm

The gears in that logo wouldn’t be able to turn. Just sayin.

Comment by Some Guy — August 7, 2011 @ 10:36 pm

You do realize that the gears in your logo won’t go anywhere, don’t you?

Comment by Some guy — August 7, 2011 @ 10:41 pm

Bad innovation logo. Those gears won’t turn. I think that the basic innovation for a working set gears was done centuries ago, yes?

Comment by Rick Anstett — August 7, 2011 @ 10:42 pm

Blog looks like a great idea and excited to see what comes of it. But that logo could use a update / refresh. The teeth on those gears aren’t even and the way they interlock mean they’d never turn. Not sure if that was what you were going for – but the engineer in me gets all twitchy looking at that logo…

Comment by Jared Ocean — August 7, 2011 @ 10:44 pm

Looks like an interesting subject, but in the interest of accuracy, I suppose, I should point out that the three gears in your logo would keep each other from moving.

Comment by Patrick — August 7, 2011 @ 11:19 pm

Seems to me that if you want to move forward, you might want to separate or remove one of the gears. You’ll get no where like that. That said, I am looking forward to progress, finally.

Comment by Steve — August 8, 2011 @ 12:09 am

Jose, you will have to file the proper paperwork stating that you noticed the unworkable gears in the Logo of Innovation with the Department of Notifications, who will send you a 673-Z (a) form for you to fill out, explaining why the gears won’t turn. Please send in the top form to the D.O.N. and the pink form to the Department of Innovation. After 30 business days, you should receive an acknowledgment that we have looked into your claim, but are withholding active judgment until further notification. If after 6 months you haven’t received any response to your filed claim, you will be required to file the paperwork once more.
Thank you for noticing.

Comment by Jewel — August 8, 2011 @ 1:05 am

I’m not an engineering student, but I believe the gearing sequence drawn for your blog’s logo will not work. It is locked. You should probably have someone with technical expertise review this before officially adopting it. But then again, I could be wrong as I’m not an engineer or even a first year engineering student.

Comment by Dave Davis — August 8, 2011 @ 1:06 am

I love the idea too except I agree with Jose C. The gears are immobilized and represent the opposite of innovation.
It does accurately reflect the current state of our nation’s capitol but that’s hardly innovative.
I recommend “shifting gears”.

Comment by Jerry G — August 8, 2011 @ 1:15 am

the logo will not allow any gears to move…
hmm… fitting?

Comment by adam hartman — August 8, 2011 @ 2:25 am

Actually, the observation is not quite correct.
The top left gear is engaged with the mid-right gear and will drive it.
But the mid-right gear is barely engaged with the lower left gear and might or might not drive it.
There is a similar situation with the engagement of the lower left and the upper right – it might or might not engage.
Stripped gear teeth would be the most probable outcome.

Comment by Fritz Chop — August 8, 2011 @ 3:09 am

[...] back in January, the government-sponsored Smithsonian Institute has launched a new blog called “Department of Innovation”. As they describe [...]

Pingback by Government logo fail of the day | FavStocks — August 8, 2011 @ 3:37 am

The logo is hilarious, I can’t stop laughing!

I hope that was your intention…

Comment by Craig — August 8, 2011 @ 4:31 am

[...] Department of Innovation logo by Jamie Simon “The Department of Innovation is about people and ideas that likely will shape the way we will live one day.” — SMITHSONIAN [...]

Pingback by Department of Innovation gets stuck | Logo Design Love — August 8, 2011 @ 7:02 am

[...] Department of Innovation logo by Jamie Simon “The Department of Innovation is about people and ideas that likely will shape the way we will live one day.” — RANDY RIELAND, SMITHSONIAN [...]

Pingback by Department of Innovation gets stuck | rustledesign.com.au — August 8, 2011 @ 7:23 am

The logo is completely dysfunctional. Hopefully this isn’t a subtle commentary on current american innovation.

Comment by Greg — August 8, 2011 @ 9:47 am

You do realize that three interlocking cogs block each other, right? As in: No movement whatsoever. As a logo for “innovation”. This is a joke, right? Please tell me that this is a joke.

Comment by Stefan — August 8, 2011 @ 10:21 am

So the three gears represent the Congress, House, and President – right? That would make sense because when you put them together no one can get any work done.

Snarkiness aside, I find it incredibly bizarre that gears are used at all (functional or not!) considering we’re talking about innovation and the idea of moving gears in itself is becoming more and more dated. I just think there’s a huge disconnect with idea and imagery here.

Comment by awesomerobot — August 8, 2011 @ 10:49 am

Perhaps this should be the new logo for Congress….since no motion could come from this arrangement.

Comment by Stacey Ward — August 8, 2011 @ 11:09 am

[...] Smithsonian.com recently started a new “Department of Innovation” blog to “track all things innovative.” However, Michelle Malkin rightly notes that the logo used on the blog represents a non-functional set of three gears. [...]

Pingback by Non-Functional Machine on Smithsonian Logo – So That’s Why Innovation Never Gets Moving! « A Thinking Person — August 8, 2011 @ 1:06 pm

This is a perfect metaphor. Win the future, guys!

Comment by kermit — August 8, 2011 @ 1:15 pm

The gears look like they can’t move in the projection, but what does the side view look like? If the gears overlap 50% they can turn in different planes.

Comment by Kevin — August 8, 2011 @ 1:27 pm

Innovation should be ideas flowing freely, in the effort to create and nurture honest growth, not just in jobs, but in technology, education, and science. To depict innovation with three cogs, turning against each other, only causing gridlock, is contrary to the purpose of this new department. Innovation should not be dictated by a needless government agency. Innovation should be left to the ones who do it best, the American people. The government only acts as that third wheel that brings progress and innovation to a screeching halt. But, maybe that is the message the logo is really meant to send.

Comment by KWood — August 8, 2011 @ 1:29 pm

Many have commented on the logo gear failure. The name “Department of Innovation” likewise is a failure. “Department” reeks of bureaucracy; a type of organization established to perpetuate the status quo. No bureaucracy innovates. Inspired self destruction and self creation is their enemy. (For insight watch BBS’s “Yes, Minister” series)

Comment by David D — August 8, 2011 @ 1:29 pm

[...] has launched a new blog called Department of Innovation to track “all things innovative, not just in science and technology but how we live, how we [...]

Pingback by » If you’re going to draw gears, don’t draw 3 interlocking ones :: Granite Geek :: NashuaTelegraph.com — August 8, 2011 @ 1:31 pm

For insight watch BBS’s “Yes, Minister” series

(That should read: BBC’s. Apologies.)

Comment by David D — August 8, 2011 @ 1:31 pm

Your logo needs serious innovation. Three gears meshed together will not turn. Even a grade school student knows this.

Comment by Paul — August 8, 2011 @ 1:32 pm

Forget the logo, how about the Orwellian sounding name?

Comment by Joe — August 8, 2011 @ 1:44 pm

[...] Dept. of Innovation [...]

Pingback by Smithsonian Institution launched a new blog – Dept. of Innovation - The Digital Reader — August 8, 2011 @ 1:58 pm

[...] has launched a new blog called Department of Innovation to track “all things innovative, not just in science and technology but how we live, how we [...]

Pingback by Improbable Research » Blog Archive » Too much in gear? — August 8, 2011 @ 2:00 pm

Ah…let’s decree innovation into existence.

Comment by jamal jackson — August 8, 2011 @ 2:16 pm

Kudos to Kevin and others for their observations on the total dysfunction of this design hopefully the designer will realize this mistake. Others are noticing this as well.

Comment by Siobhan — August 8, 2011 @ 2:20 pm

In plan view the gears are interlocked. The pitch isn’t even correct so the removal of one gear would not solve the problem.

Comment by Jimmy Knuckles — August 8, 2011 @ 2:24 pm

Based on the logo, I would have to say this department will have no “teeth”. Let’s hope it won’t “grind” to a halt. But I certainly wish it success! There are a lot of people who have, and who will, come up with the ideas that drive the future- and they will need to be recognized!

Comment by Richard — August 8, 2011 @ 2:26 pm

Gridlock/gearlock.

Sure fits the current state of affairs…

Comment by Jon — August 8, 2011 @ 2:28 pm

About those “interlocking” gears… didn’t Sputnik teach us to think in more than two dimensions?

Comment by Chris — August 8, 2011 @ 2:31 pm

Quick fix! Now if only Washington could fix it’s gridlock as fast…

Comment by Jon — August 8, 2011 @ 3:23 pm

It looks like they have “solved” the locking gears issue as of this post. Someone has increased the tooth gap between the right and lower gear, undoubtedly because of the criticism. See Michelle Malkin’s link for the original logo. Now THAT is just typical cover up. What they should have done is openly admitted it was not the best design, then put it out there as a contest to the private sector to come up a worthy design!

Comment by Mike B — August 8, 2011 @ 3:41 pm

They’ve modified the logo slightly, haven’t they?

Comment by Stefan — August 8, 2011 @ 4:01 pm

I also love the innovative use of 19th century technology in the logo.

Comment by Dwayne — August 8, 2011 @ 4:02 pm

Don’t blame the logo designer too much: think of all the people who had to sign off on the logo before it could be approved. How many committees, and how many management/supervisory types didn’t catch the problem?

Systemic fail.

Comment by Marc M — August 8, 2011 @ 4:16 pm

We see what you did there, Smithsonian.

Too bad Adobe Photoshop can’t fix the rest of the Federal Government, though.

Comment by kunsunoke — August 8, 2011 @ 4:36 pm

Thanks for the suggestions on the logo. It’s good to see so
many people paying that kind of attention to detail. And you’re right about bureaucracy not fostering innovation. The title isn’t meant to be taken literally.

Comment by Randy Rieland — August 8, 2011 @ 6:49 pm

Marc M makes a good point. The logo had to be approved by a bunch of other people before it could be accepted. But the designer should have done accurate research first. It’s a fairly balanced system of blame.

Comment by Heather C — August 8, 2011 @ 7:28 pm

Meshing gears as a symbol of innovation? How about something more modern, say a steam engine?

Comment by HussahGuy — August 8, 2011 @ 9:32 pm

The Department of Redundancy Department signed off earlier today, in duplicate, with carbons to file, on the request to modify an approved departmental graphic display; to wit, a logo.

This request was requested to allow the modification, designated as a correction as in Subpart 496730(a)7, as distinguished from a major modification as per Subpart 496648457(b)666 which was approved in record time, thereby setting a record. We do keep records on records in order to establish better recordkeeping of our records. Thank you for calling this to our attention, thank you.

Sincerely,
Assistant Deputy to the Deputy Assistant of Recordkeeping Records and Modified Modifications
The Department of Redundancy Department
Washington, DC, in the Nation’s Capital

Comment by Dept. of Redundancy Dept. — August 8, 2011 @ 10:47 pm

[...] Source: http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/ideas/2011/07/welcome-to-the-department-of-innovation/ [...]

Pingback by Innovatively stupid | PoliNation — August 8, 2011 @ 11:36 pm

Nothing says “Information Age” like mechanical gears. Babbage would be proud.

Comment by jdporter — August 8, 2011 @ 11:44 pm

This blog has been bookmarked, because even though the name is rather orwellian-sounding, and the logo makes my inner engineer’s eyes hurt, it is an interesting sounding concept, and the posts so far make me believe that the writer is much more competent than the graphic designer. Kudos!

Comment by CPeterson — August 8, 2011 @ 11:46 pm

@Marc M (#70) — best comment by far

Comment by Joey Espinosa — August 9, 2011 @ 9:23 am

The logo, even after being fixed, is still incorrect from an engineering standpoint. The teeth will not line up; the gears will not move each other.

To echo previous comments, aren’t gears a bit dated and non-innovative anyway? Why not MagLev or Rail-gun technology as a metaphor?

Also, by the way, I think it’s hilarious how the first nine or so comments are so praiseworthy. The bloggers friends, eh? A little transparent, made all the more obvious by the 60+ negative comments that follow.

But, again, I think it’s perfect. Government cannot influence innovation; innovation comes from individuals. Edison invented the light bulb. The government can’t even balance its checkbook.

Comment by Patrick Thomas — August 9, 2011 @ 9:30 am

ACTUALLY…if you look close, you see gear on the right and the gear on the bottom cannot meet…therefore THIS CAN TURN.
Our country’s problem: jumping to conclusions (all three gears meet) before closer inspection of issues?

Comment by John — August 9, 2011 @ 11:09 am

To all you folks who claim to be engineers in respect to the first logo drawing – you all made the ASSUMPTION from a 2D rendering that the gears were all on the same plane and not located at different heights. Perhaps one was not engaged full-time and its sole purpose when engaged was to lock the other two gears in place? Learn to think outside the box before you criticize! Keep up the good work Randy, I look forward to reading your blog!

Comment by Mike — August 9, 2011 @ 11:45 am

Even the new logo will not work…the smaller gear on the bottom does not have the proper distance between the teeth as related to the larger gear. The teeth will sheer off! Seriously, while the designer created an eye catching logo, if you are going to be in the Dept. of Innovation then do something that a) is innovative and b) works!

Comment by Josh — August 9, 2011 @ 11:52 am

I really hope the US does something to get back on track. I believe that we as a nation are great innovators. Maybe Innovation is the very thing to save us! I just hope that the government doesn’t start a Department of Innovation… if it does it will probably end up like the Department of Education (wasting a ton of money and destroying the very thing it was meant to help).

Comment by Brad — August 10, 2011 @ 12:22 pm

[...] has fixed the logo of its new blog called Department of Innovation, which  I (and many others) ridiculed. The graphics designer pulling two of the gears apart so the [...]

Pingback by » Those gears on the Innovation Blog logo aren’t interlocked any more! :: Granite Geek :: NashuaTelegraph.com — August 10, 2011 @ 2:06 pm

Well, the logo embarrassment is enough, and the fact that ‘innovation’ is represented by 3rd century gears is appropo, so not much else left to say. Well, there is one thing. The fancy innovative Prius with self-drive technology is illegal to operate on public streets in all 50 states.

When we run completely out of money(and we will, make no mistake about it), some idiot will disclaim ‘but, but, but it is the dept of INNOVATION!’ how did we ever live without it before 2011? Oh the huge manatee!

Comment by d — August 10, 2011 @ 2:51 pm

Two things. Again, there is no Department of Innovation. It’s simply the name of the blog, with irony intended. Second, in June Nevada passed a law allowing the driverless car on public streets.

Comment by Randy Rieland — August 10, 2011 @ 3:45 pm

Great site. Would like to see what kind of education, careers etc. would be needed in the near future.

Comment by Richard Callahan — August 30, 2011 @ 1:04 pm