My favorite resource about software innovation is David A. Wheeler's list of the most important software innovations.[1]
Most of the items on the list are from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, and 90s; just one is from the past ten years (Wheeler was at first ambivalent about even adding it). He also makes the point that it is okay not to be innovative, and quotes Linus Torvalds:
"People want to hear about the one big idea that changes the world, but that’s not how the world works. It’s not about visionary ideas; it’s about lots of good ideas which do not seem world-changing at the time, but which turn out to be great after lots of sweat and work have been applied."
