How Cultural Diversity Drives Innovation: Surname and Patents in U.S. History

This article examines the relationship between cultural diversity and innovation in U.S. history using surnames and patent records as indicators of population diversity and inventive activity. The authors show that regions with greater cultural heterogeneity generated higher levels of innovation, suggesting that exposure to diverse perspectives, knowledge systems, and social networks promotes creative problem-solving and technological advancement. The study contributes to debates on immigration, diversity, and economic growth by providing historical evidence linking cultural variation to innovation outcomes.