This essay summarizes the discussion on how to engage students in the history of innovation that took place at the Wachman Center's two-day history institute for teachers on this subject held October 18-19, 2008. It was observed that hero innovators generally fail multiple times, and suggested that innovation may be fostered by providing a learning atmosphere where failure is both accepted and anticipated. Contests like Olympiad of the Mind or Science Fair, unconventional problem-solving exercises, biographical narrative, a Rube Goldberg contest, and ranking important innovations, were offered as potential environments for teaching and encouraging innovative thinking. Institute speakers included Lawrence Husick, Peter Watson, Walter McDougall and Paul Dickler.