Nice summary of the weeks data about Innovation and how it affects the economy. The dips in innovation in 2000 and 2006 are most likely due to funding drying up for startups. During the dot com bust and our recent financial bust, venture capitalists have not been investing in new startups. Big companies have also scaled back new projects just to survive and laid off all of their talent. The irony is that innovation is what breaks us out of recessions and depressions. There is always a driver and that is usually some new invention or market. Cutting back on innovation during tough times just seems crazy.
