By Allison Engel, an Octane blog contributor 

With a dose of innovation, modern problems often transform into sources of convenience. That’s because true innovation doesn’t just happen; it’s the breaking point where modern problems meet lasting solutions. Once an obstacle finds its remedy, we often wonder how we ever lived without it. Just look at your household products – thanks to DVR, you’ll never miss your favorite shows again; not to mention the squeezable ketchup bottle, which makes the arduous battle of using American’s favorite condiment a thing of the past.