Successful innovation is always inspired by at least one of three forces insight, necessity and simple luck. Ingenious moves through history to explore what circumstances, incidents, coincidences and collaborations motivated each great Canadian idea, and what twist of fate then brought that idea into public acceptance. Above all, the book explores what goes on in the mind of an innovator and maps the incredible spectrum of personalities that have struggled to improve the lot of their neighbours, their fellow citizens and their species.