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The impact of human innovation "on patterns of tool emergence throughout prehistoric societies" have been explained through a new research at Stanford University.

In a study, scientists have probed the impact of human innovation, outlined in a press release.

With a computer model on cultural evolution that simulated the tool emergence models in early societies, the scientists discovered that human creativity might have led to it.

The models made it clear that some inventions were due to spontaneous creativity, while others were due to inventions that drew parallels with existing tools and ideas from them.

"It was insightful to realize that tools can create 'ecological niches' for other tools to fill," said Oren Kolodn, co-author of the paper. "Once you invent something like a raft, it paves the way for the invention of a paddle that will allow you to manipulate it, tools that will help you mend it and eventually also new technologies for offshore fishing or transport of things."

Tool evolution is unique. It can be be distributed through diverse people and social groups. It is thus different from genetic inheritance.

"In general, humans inherit genetic traits directly from our parents," said Nicole Creanza, co-author of the study. "In contrast, cultural traits - tools, beliefs and behaviors that are transmitted by learning - can be learned not only from parents but also from teachers and peers."

However, more such research is needed to get insights into tool evolution, which the archaeological records alone cannot do.

"We don't completely understand the sudden bursts of cultural accumulation in the archaeological record, but researchers have proposed that an environmental change or a shift in cognitive capacity could spur a 'cultural explosion,'" said Creanza. "Our model demonstrates that these 'explosions' could also be a feature of cultural evolution itself, as long as some innovations are dependent on others."