Over the past few weeks, The Takeaway has been talking about innovation — what it is, and how we can spark more of it. We've talked about medicine, communication, education, and technology, among other topics. And we've talked with some of the biggest names and inventors out there. We wrap up our series with one of the most famous modern innovators in the world: James Dyson.

As part of The Takeaway's innovation discussion the program looks at how new cell phone technology is having some big implications for the developing world. It’s a powerful tool because of its prevalence — cell phone use in the developing world has surged in recent years, meaning it could be the gateway to solving long standing challenges. Dr. Ashifi Gogo is CEO of Sproxil, a multi-national company that uses cell phones to help consumers spot counterfeit drugs in the developing world. Ramesh Raskar is an associate professor at MIT Media Lab.

All month we’ve been talking about innovation — speaking to innovative people and discussing innovative ideas. Now we hear from  a woman who has designed a product for diabetics that not only solves a problem but is changing attitudes too. Jessica Floeh is the creator of Hanky Pancreas, a line of insulin pump accessories — scarves, neck pieces and other decorative items — that make the functional medical device fashionable.

How people move on planet Earth affects everything about the quality of their lives. Humans have always thought of motion collective or otherwise as extensions of their individual physical bodies. Transportation involves people and machines interacting intimately. Think of it as putting on and taking off a "car suit" to drive, or a much larger "airplane suit" to fly. Thinking of transportation in this sense, how humans conduct their day-to-day lives seems much less efficient.

After Steve Jobs died on Wednesday, many reflected on his innovations, and how they changed what the world has come to expect from technology. His intuitive understanding of design and human psychology helped him to create a user-friendly approach to high-tech computing which, in turn, made Apple one of the most popular brands in the world.

"Apple took us into a space where technology didn't have to be this rational thing," John Maeda told The Takeaway. "It could be an emotional thing — a thing you could connect to as a person." Maeda, a world renowned graphic designer and visual artist, is president of the Rhode Island School of Design. Maeda cannot understate the influence of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs on his life and career. He fondly remembers his Apple II and his first Macintosh in 1984, which his MIT classmates derided as a "pansy computer." "I knew that computer was different," Maeda said. "It was making a statement."

For decades, Microsoft Research's Bill Buxton has been tracking innovation through history — online, Buxton maintains an archive of interactive devices, tracking how technology evolves. He's a firm believer that the seeds of our most innovative ideas and products have been around for years, just waiting for the perfect storm of conditions that can turn a good idea into something more potent.

The economy has yet to recover from the great recession as nation’s unemployment numbers remain bleak at 9.1 percent. That number is worse in Michigan, where the unemployment rate is 10.9 percent. One solution to this problem may be for more people to start businesses. The costs of starting up a business may be lower now than in pre-recession times.

The banking industry, like basically all commercial industry, is always looking for ways to innovate their products and services. Take ATMs or the kind of innovation that allows customers to view the image of their check right on their banking receipt - those cost money to develop. And the banking industry has been lobbying to change the patent laws tied to these sorts of business innovations.

Over the past 25 years, the MIT Media Lab has developed the technology behind a wide variety of devices, from e-book readers to robotic prosthetic limbs. The academics who call the Lab home work in a unique environment, where disciplines break down and professionals from diverse fields collaborate to create and innovate. Frank Moss was the Director of the MIT Media Lab from 2005 to 2010. He describes his experiences in his new book, "The Sorcerers and their Apprentices."

The MIT Media Lab turns 25 today. We take a look back at the novel idea behind this multidisciplinary academic lab that harnessed (and continues to harness) the creative energy of the digital revolution to develop major innovations in art and design, IT and mass communications. The display behind e-book readers such as the Kindle and Nook, the innovation behind the wildly popular "Guitar Hero" video games, and the "One Laptop Per Child" initiative all came from the Media Lab.

At about 40 locations around downtown Denver, you can pick up a bike, ride it somewhere else and drop it off. The "Bcycle" program began yesterday, on Earth Day. Bike sharing is a mode of community transportation that's been tried in several European cities, and will be popping up in U.S. cities this summer; Denver is the first big American trial. Nathan Heffel, producer for jazz89 KUVO, checked in on the first day of Mile-High residents trying it out.

Despite the Internet's genesis here in the U.S., Americans' per capita access to broadband has lagged. In 2001, the U.S. ranked fourth in the world for citizens' access online, but dropped to 15th in 2009, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The Federal Communication Commission will today unveil its first plan for national broadband access. Goal number one: to bring super-fast Internet access to the 100 million homes that don't currently have access to broadband — and make that access cheaper for everyone along the way.

We get quick Takeouts on the stories we're following this week: Detroit hosts the X-Prize Competition and listeners weigh in on Sen. Harry Reid's comments.

As part our week-long look at how our lives have changed over the last decade, we turn to advances in technology. Joining us to weigh in on the most notable tech innovations during the last 10 years are Baratunde Thurston, host of “Popular Science’s Future Of” on the Science Channel, and Clive Thompson, a contributor to Wired magazine.

On Sunday, our partners at The New York Times will run their ninth annual "Year in Ideas" issue, compiling some of the best (and and most eccentric) ideas that made headlines this year.

Moon-centric-legislation, Twitter-based-revolutions, hybrid car ringtones and zombiefied Jane Austen are all on the table as we speak with Chris Suellentrop, staff editor of the New York Times Magazine.

Researchers in Glasgow have developed an early warning sunburn indicator. A thin paper strip or sticker, filled with "intelligent ink," will turn pink after too much exposure to ultra-violet light. The device is easy to use, too: Before heading to the beach, strap on the bracelet or sticker and when you see it turn pink, it is time to put on a shirt or head indoors. The strips are inexpensive enough for frequent use and researchers are hoping to test the prototype this summer. We're learning more about this shiny new development with Andrew Mills, professor at Strathclyde University, who helped to create these sunburn wristbands.