The transformation of the spark of an idea to a fully developed technology happens not in a vacuum, but as part of an "innovation ecosystem", a network of people at universities, companies, and government labs scattered across the globe. If one could visualize the activity of such a system, it might look something like the map shown below. Clicking on an information bubble on the map will either take you to an actual Espresso™ search result, or to Espresso™ Trends, a fascinating look at the rise and fall of people, places, and technologies over time.