Published research also has bias. How many first authors actually did the innovating? Versus ran the lab the innovation happened in or advised the innovator. Depends on the field, but I think most people can reasonably agree that those folks are listed as authors on the publication for reasons other than having actually innovated. But let me nip this in the bud: I am not saying those people don't deserve credit for their part, just that published research has its own share of bias.