The Origin of the Concepts of "Entrepreneur" and "Creative Entrepreneur"

Traces the terms "entrepreneur" and "creative entrepreneur" back to their 200-year-old origins, researching dictionary entries and distinguishing the uses of prominent thinkers such as Adam Smith and Daniel Defoe. From the time Savary first used "entrepreneur" as a technical term in 1723, it began evolving in meaning from "undertaker," to "adventurer," to "projector." The term was characterized by risk-bearing early on (Cantillon, 1725), and following Say's definition, began to be considered more clearly as an economic phenomenon. Defoe was the first, in 1697, to consider the value of the "creative entrepreneur" - though he used the term "projector" - as a means of advancing industry through ingenuity and creativity. However, not until Bentham in 1796 was the creative entrepreneur clearly differentiated from the inventor. Still, the term "projector" grew to encompass more than merely inventors, as witnessed by Postlethwayt's definitions, so that it is seen as a forerunner to the current "creative entrepreneur." Postlethwayt is also identified as the first to distinguish between the creative capitalist and inventor, as well as the importance of legislation to innovation, creating the foundation from which Schumpeter would build. (CJC)