The Spirit Of Innovation America's West Coast is known for taking the lead on innovation. From the tech entrepreneurs of California's Silicon Valley to restaurateurs in Tijuana, Mexico, innovators have helped to transform their communities. NPR's All Things Considered explores the frontiers of innovation on the West Coast.
Gesundheit: Kichaa is the name of one of the animated characters causing consternation among the animators at Digital Domain. He's featured in the upcoming film The Legend of Tembo. Digital Domain hide caption
Architect Paul Williams (in a photo thought to be from the 1940s or '50s) developed the ability to sketch buildings upside down to accommodate white clients who might not want to sit next to him. Courtesy of Karen E. Hudson hide caption
Seattle Forager Inspires Others To Learn About Wild, Forgotten Foods
Tech entrepreneurs gather at the offices of Y Combinator, a company based in Mountain View, Calif., that provides seed money to young startups. Founder Paul Graham predicts half of the startups funded by Y Combinator will ultimately fail. Melissa Block/NPR hide caption
Chef Javier Plascencia finds inspiration for his dishes at the Mercado Hidalgo, a huge indoor market in Tijuana Melanie Stetson Freeman/Christian Science Monitor/Getty Images hide caption
Research scientist Leila Takayama poses with a PR2 robot at Willow Garage, a robotics company in Menlo Park, Calif., that produces programmable robots. Melissa Block/NPR hide caption