The Prius: Car of the 21st Century

The production of Toyota’s Prius went global in 2000 with the introduction of this seemingly-minute car into American markets. And America didn’t realize the impact it would have on society.

The Prius was created and designed specifically to be the icon car of the 21st Century and Green Movement. It was predestined to stand for specific ideals and social statements. This car is not simply a transport vehicle; it is now used to represent the individual that drives it. This exemplifies an undercurrent of the 21st century culture; how items can represent different ideas and beliefs the consumer stands for or feels strongly about.

The Prius represents much through its physical structure. Such as the future, through its sleek and innovative body while also representing the great leaps mankind has made to help preserve the environment. This alternative method of power has made a great statement to society; illustrating how even a means of transportation can help to reduce stress on the earth and precious resources.

The Prius has been a huge success and has begun a new off-shoot industry composed of fuel-efficient and alternatively powered vehicles.

Posted By: Kylie Graham


Sources:

Kaho, Todd, (2007). Decade of the Toyota Prius Hybrid. GreenCar, Retrieved from http://www.greencar.com/articles/decade-toyota-prius-hybrid.php

Image retrieved October 8, 2009 from http://www.greencar.com/articles/decade-toyota-prius-hybrid.php

Customization of the New Millennium

The beginning of the new millennium ushered in the best and brightest in technology, fashion and consumerism. The birth of the Nikon Coolpix 900 followed by PayPal and Napster paved the way for this new era where customization and individuality stand in the limelight. Nike introduced their first customized shoe, echoing the theme found throughout the culture during this time. A brand new chapter opened in the food industry began in the emerging market of alternative beverages. The popularity of these new age, premium drinks exemplifies the desire for diversification and alternative drink options.

These examples illustrate the shift seen in American consumerism over the obsession of items centered around the individual. How items can be altered and created to produce an end product that can be unique and exclusive to the individual became extremely important to the producer of specific products.

Posted By: Kylie Graham


Sources:

(2000 December 18). The Best & Worst 2000: Arts. Time, 156(25), Retrieved October 7, 2009 from http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu:2055/scripts/wsuall.pl?url=http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu:2077/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=3853332&site=ehost-live

Eisenberg, D, & McKenna, C. (18 December 2000). A New-Age Drink War Starts as Soda Flops. Time, 156(25), Retrieved October 7, 2009 from http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu:2055/scripts/wsuall.pl?url=http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu:2077/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=3853316&site=ehost-live

Image retrieved October 8, 2009 from http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/2113/nikon.htm

Recycling #6: Reforming EPS

Expanded Polystyrene, also known as EPS, has been a source of controversy ever since it’s invention in 1959. On one hand, it is a remarkably useful invention used widely in packaging for its shock absorbing abilities (Styrofoam peanuts and molds) and outstanding insulation properties (food packaging). On the other hand, it is unable to biodegrade when exposed to all the elements of the earth, on top of the flammability hazards and issues regarding o-zone depletion during its creation among other things. Acknowledging the contradicting qualities of EPS and other plastics, scientists and others began to see the need and benefits of recycling such materials so they could be produced into a form again without causing further harm to the environment. EPS Recycling in particular came to fruition in the early 1990’s, starting in 1991 when a nation-wide system known as the National Polystyrene Recycling Company was formally created to begin recycling EPS with the recycling number of “6”.

The process itself is often very expensive and labor intensive, since the actual recycling method involves sorting and breaking down of the post-recycled materials, and the heating and extrusion of the materials into a formless pile where they can then be stored and shaped for whatever future purpose intended. Due to this matter, recycling EPS is still rather scarce in comparison to other recycled materials. However, since the system’s inception it has seen steady growth and it receives more and more attention every year. According to the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers (AFPR), “post-consumer and post-commercial EPS is currently being recycled at an average annual rate of 10-12%.”

This trend of growth proves that EPS Recycling remains extremely significant to the further design and production of polystyrene products in the market. Without its introduction into the packaging market, it is likely EPS production in general would have fallen under the pressure of environmental concerns, and its incredible product performance would have been underutilized in today’s market.




Posted By: Rob Goodman

Sources:

Alliance of Foam Packaging Recycling. (2009). EPS Recycling. Retrived October 8, 2009 from http://www.epspackaging.org/info.html

Americanchemistry.com. (2007). Polystyrene Recycling- Long-term Market Trends. Retrieved October 8, 2009 from http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/sec_pfpg.asp?CID=1437&DID=5229#

Glam Spirit. (2008). Eco-friendly Packing Material. Retrieved October 8, 2009 from http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blogs.glam.com/glamspirit/files/2008/07/packing-peanuts.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blogs.glam.com/glamspirit/2008/07/11/eco-friendly-packing-material/&usg=__HkctRJaLoFFLKwrlOtuV1l-Sdzk=&h=346&w=347&sz=135&hl=en&start=2&sig2=uLvg44iIRjTdNrYGpeak0A&um=1&tbnid=qEjs3ZHXHhnKWM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfoam%2Bpeanuts%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1&ei=hKzOStG2O4fktAPqmNy_Dg.

Hong, Charlie. (2007, July 20). Polystyrene recycling, Styrofoam recycling [video file]. Retrieved October 8, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvHuX32_--g.

The Gardenburger

In 1981 Paul Wenner opened The Gardenhouse, a vegetarian restaurant in Oregon, after becoming aware of his poor eating habits in the 1960's. After debating what to do with his leftovers, he experimented with a mixture of vegetables, rice, and cheese which he then baked into a loaf. He began serving the loaf between two hamburger buns and thus the Gardenburger was born. The Gardenburger was an enormous hit in his restaurant so in 1982 he began offering it to other restaurants and at festival food stands. With financial backing, Wenner started his company and named it Gardenburger Inc. in 1985. The Gardenburger won accounts from numerous restaurants but its big break came in 1986 when it was served in the Natural Food Expo Show in Los Angeles.

The company went public in 1992 and has grown ever since, making it one of the "fastest growing publicly traded companies in the U.S." Wenner has since written a vegetarian cookbook called Garden Cuisine and he's added vegetarian meatballs and other meatless items to his product line. Today, Gardenburgers are sold in 14 countries and more than 400 million have been sold. As food production laws and policies have become more stringent, the public is allowed to know more and more about how their food is prepared and the nutritional information it possesses. This knowledge has allowed consumers to make choices about their eating habits-choosing to not eat certain products for the sake of others. Whether for ethics, health, or allergy reasons consumers now have choices thanks to the Gardenburger and products like it to avoid meat without sacrificing nutrients. As the number of vegetarians and other health conscious consumers began to rise a need for meatless products continues.

Posted By: Jessica Lantz

Sources:

undefined. (November, 2004). Inventor of the Week. Gardenburger. Retrieved October 9, 2009, from http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/wenner.html.

Image Retrieved October 9, 2009 from

http://www.blisstree.com/files/2009/06/gardenburger-original-hires.jpg

Red Bull Energy Drink

In 1982, Dietrich Mateschitz visited Thailand on business and sampled an energy drink called Krating Daeng meaning "Red Bull." Founded in Thailand in 1962 by Chaleo Yoovidhya, it was popular among blue collar workers and known for its energy inducing capabilities. In 1984 the Red Bull GmbH was founded in Austria where by 1987 it had sold a million cans of the energy drink. The company expanded in 1992 to foreign markets and in 1997 Red Bull was sold for the first time in the U.S.

Now, Red Bull is considered the world's leading energy drink and is sold in more than 100 countries. It also helped build the functional beverage (energy drinks) world market which it owns 70% of. Since Red Bull, the energy drink market has boomed and there are numerous competitors. However, Red Bull has maintained its lead in the market with its distinctive flavor and marketing strategies.

As technology continues to increase the speed of our lives, people too are expected to move and work at greater and greater speeds. The demand for energy and concentration continues to increase as jobs and work schedules continue to evolve. So, energy drinks have become an increasing essential beverage in a modern society.

Posted By: Jessica Lantz

Sources:

Undefined. (2004). International Directory of Company Histories, Vol.60.: St. James Press.

Undefined. (undefined). Funding Universe. Red Bull GmbH. Retrieved October 9, 2009, from http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Red-Bull-GmbH-Company-History.html.

Image Retrieved October 8, 2009 http://www.redbull.co.uk/img/products_triple.jpg

The IBM PC

Although a few "personal computers" were on the market already, the birth of the IBM PC in 1981 revolutionized the computer industry, eventually leading to the technology we know today. IBM had previously attempted to take on the personal computer market with their IBM 5100 but their efforts fell short. In a second attempt, IBM decided to develop a new operating system to go with what would be the IBM PC.

Twelve engineers worked on the top secret plans known as "Project Chess." When it was released on August 12th, the IBM PC, PC standing for "personal computer", it ran on a 4.77 MHz Intel 8088 microprocessor and cost $1,565 (about $4,000 today). IBM is hence credited with popularizing the term "PC." Months after its debut, Time Magazine named the computer "Man of the Year." To say the computer has revolutionized and influenced our lives and culture is an understatement. Computer technology has changed nearly every aspect of our lives from how we do business to how we pay for our groceries. As our culture continues to evolve it is safe to say that computer technology will become more and more saturated into our lives.


Posted by: Jessica Lantz

Sources:

Mary Bellis. (n.d.). about.com:inventors. The History of the IBM PC - International Business Machines . Retrieved October 8, 2009, from http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa031599.htm.

Image Retrieved October, 8 2009 from
http://incentraleurope.radio.cz/pictures/pocitace/prvni_pc.jpg

Designer Champagne

The popularity and sales of more original and unique champagnes rose starting in the year 2000 stemming from consumers desiring individuality and distinctiveness. Sales for champagne from smaller, private vineyards increased in direct contrast to the usual popularity of bigger, more commercial champagne houses. Connoisseurs began looking for champagnes that were distinct and captured individual tastes obtained from specific vineyards and grapes. Also, the fact that these “designer” champagnes are limited adds to their appeal, putting them in higher demand.
This new development early in the century seems to mirror the new, emerging American taste for uniqueness and individuality echoed in other areas of consumerism.


Posted By: Kylie Graham

Sources:

Kapnick, Sharon. (2000 December 18). Grower Champagnes. Time, 156(25), Retrieved October 7, 2009 from http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu:2055/scripts/wsuall.pl?url=http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu:2077/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=3853258&site=ehost-live

Gracemagazine Magazine. (2007). Champagne and Other Bubbly. Retrieved October 7, 2009 from http://gracemagazine.wordpress.com/2007/12/

The Cell Phone: The Most "Happening" Gadget of the 21st Century

Cell phones have revolutionized the 21st century. In the year 2000, instant messaging, cameras, and television were just being added to the features contained in a cell phone. The birth of the palm pilot, the trio and Blackberry were simply preparing consumers for the beginning of a new era governed by the I-phone in 2007. Since then the I-phone, by Apple, has revolutionized everyday life in America. Not only can one use GPS from this pocket-sized screen, but every application imaginable can be obtained. These applications have been designed to aid Americans in their everyday life on the run. This has created a desire for everything efficient, digital, portable, and ever-ready, materialized in a small screen that makes up the I-phone.

The strides Apple has made, illustrated thru the I-phone, raise the expectations of much to come in the future. Also, what has been accomplished in this decade, looking at cell phone advancements alone, heighten anticipation of future innovations that will continue to revolutionize our world. “What will be next” is the question that echoes within the space that generates the cyber world. Today, everyday life has been completely altered by the cell phone itself, let alone the countless other gadgets available at the click of a mouse.


Posted By: Kylie Graham

Sources:

Buechner, M, & Thomas, O. (2000, January 17). Geek gadgets galore. Time, 155(2), Retrieved October 6, 2009, from http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu:2055/scripts/wsuall.pl?url=http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu:2077/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=2662780&site=ehost-live

Brandthroposophy: A Marketing and Research Blog. (2007). iphone Haiku and the Poetics of Scientific Representation. Retrieved October 7, 2009 from http://kozinets.net/archives/date/2007/06

Exceptional Design at Affordable Prices

In the mid-1990’s architect Michael Graves was approached by Target Stores to create original home product designs for the discount chain. Target, looking to attract and further cater to their growing amount of upscale customers, sought to establish a line of home products that were both aesthetically pleasing and yet very comfortable and affordable. In order to do this, they looked for help from Michael Graves’ firm, Graves Design.

Graves, an architect at heart with an avid interest in product design, began his work in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and quickly cultivated an outstanding reputation in the architect world. He belonged to a group of several others architects known as the “New York Five” that believed in the ideals of post-modernism and more specifically “the use of modernized classical forms and emphatic uses of color.” Graves’ buildings in particular suggested a sense of irony in relation to classical forms. They were derisive yet fun imitations of popular standards of the past.

Graves steadily created a repertoire of unique and exciting product designs throughout the 1980’s and early 1990’s, such as his popular 1985 teapot that had a playful bird spout and was made for Italian design firm Alessi. Due to his work, Graves caught the eye of a merchandising director at Target who invited him to come to a store and take a look around. Graves found many products he believed could benefit from his distinctively kitschy yet sophisticated design aesthetic and they created over 350 different products from picture frames to patio furniture.

Graves’ designs proved so successful that his deal with target amounted to almost a quarter of Graves' entire business which helped him to reinforce his future endeavors in architecture. More importantly however, Graves and Target jointly fostered the idea of taking “the look for less” principle and relating it to home furnishings.

Posted By: Rob Goodman

Sources:
Goldberger, Paul. (February, 1999). A Postmodernist Goes Shopping. The New Yorker, pp. 23-24.

Business Week. (1999). Michael Graves Target Toaster. Retrieved October 7, 2009 from http://www.businessweek.com/1999/99_23/b3632043.htm.

Design For Everybody

In 1989, the Center for Universal Design formed in response to a need for revolution in architecture to make public places and houses more accessible to all. One of the pioneers of this change in architectural design was Diane Pilgrim. Pilgrim, a Fine Arts graduate of NYU who worked for many years as a museum curator, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1978. Due to previous conceived notions and her confinement to a wheelchair as a result of her condition, Pilgrim concluded that design as a whole was limited "visually and intellectually." According to Pilgrim,

"Anything human-made is design. Our mission is to make people aware that
design has a major impact on our lives every second of the day. People are
out there making decisions that affect our lives in wholly profound
ways."

In 1996, Pilgrim and others were able to convince the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in Washington, D.C. to add ramps and lifts to the multi-level historic building, making the museum more readily accessible to the elderly, disabled and accomodating to baby strollers.

With this accomplishment, Pilgrim and the Universal Design Center followed by making other areas accessible friendly, as well as updating home design guidelines. Their mission and philosophy included:

- Redesigning products and structures to make them easier to use


- Showing that anything created by humans should be both "eminently functional and aesthetically pleasing"


- Removing the stigma of accessibility including the common assumption that places designed for accessibility are ugly and awkward


-Universal designed products can be used by all people

Among all these things, univeral design seeks to prove that regardless of what the scale is, from a pair of household scissors to a landscape plan for a city, it ultimately benefits the world by promoting equality through unique artistic endeavours that don't seek to alienate groups of people.


Posted By: Rob Goodman

Sources:

Pilgrim, Diane. (October, 1997). Making the Planet a Better Place. ARTnews. pg. 192.

Sumitomo Group Public Affairs Committee. (2009). Working to Build a Society Informed by Universal Design. Retrieved October 4, 2009 from http://www.sumitomo.gr.jp/english/discoveries/special/103_01.html.

The Power Suit

Although women had been in the workforce since the late 1960's,
the number of women entering the corporate world increased
dramatically in the 1980's. Despite the fact that sexist
attitudes towards women professionals were slowly changing, they
were still respected and paid less than their male counterparts.
Business suits were available at this time but they were ultra
feminine; featuring knee-length skirts, soft lapels, and blouses
with bows and ruffles. In the mid 1980's, suit dressing changed
significantly to accommodate the changing image of the female
professional.

Women's suits began being styled after the male version, with
longer jackets and sharper lapels. Blouses had collars with a tie
effect instead of bows and ruffles. As women's suits became more
popular, their shoulder widths grew, as did the shoulder pads
used to support them. Soon, shoulder widths were wider than any
seen yet in the 20th century. This style of dressing was thought
to improve a woman's position in the workforce. If she dressed
more like a man she would be treated as well as one.

Today, the shoulder width's in women's suits are not as dramatic
since women are now accepted in the corporate world. Thanks to
this fashion change, women can now choose between more feminine
or masculine styles of business attire based on their style and
job position.

Posted by: Jessica Lantz

Sources:

Freeman, Sue Joan Mendelson. (1990). Managing Lives: Corporate Women and Social Change. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 184.

Image Retrieved October 4, 2009 from http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4622113/88214-main_Full.jpg

Ralph Lauren

Born in 1939 to a poor family in the Bronx, Ralph Lauren took his
first steps in the fashion industry as a salesman for Brooks
Brothers. He then began designing ties that were an inch wider
than the currently accepted style. Despite the variation,
Lauren's designs were hugely successful in New York Department
stores and Bloomingdale's, the first to sell his designs.

Lauren founded Polo Fashions and designed his first men's
collection in 1968. In 1972 he began designing women's clothing.
His costuming of the 1974 movie version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's
The Great Gatsby secured his fame. By the 1980's Lauren was known
as a formidable force in the fashion industry designing
furniture, linens, and tableware in addition to men's and women's
clothing.

Ralph Lauren continues to be a dominant figure in American fashion; combining a strong brand image with comfort, elegance, quality, and classic
lines. Beloved among professionals especially, Lauren's success
is partly attributed to his extensive market range, fine
tailoring, and high-quality textiles. Lauren's designs are sold
in more than 1,000 department stores and factory outlets. He is
considered one of the most successful American fashion designers.


Posted by: Jessica Lantz

Sources:

Koepp, Stephen. (September, 1986). Selling a Dream of Elegance and the Good Life. Time, pp. 55-58.

Image Retrieved October 4, 2009 from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuIa3OCzeYvP_qwU73qKMKQ3-5Knr3qhrRrU1dOCcRqvC_3YTmh2Dte7D_CxoYcDJ8jXzENSnjPTI7JTbgSi0x4bINBLbZYAWG45BXHiJrCtF3bhyphenhyphen2CNvpZOsKaqGJfXKEi1XPX4t-3nV/s400/ralph-lauren-logo.jpg.

Nike's Air Jordans

When Michael Jordan was drafted to the Chicago Bulls in 1984, Nike immediately saw a new opportunity to market their shoes. Noting Jordan's charisma and rising fame in the NBA, Peter Moore of Nike hired Jordan as a spokesperson to promote a new shoe-the Air Jordans. The Air Jordans were bulky and red and black, a departure from the traditional white sports shoe. The shoes hit in the market in 1985 and then were launched in six test cities in 1986 where they became hugely popular. Some retailers even charged upwards of a hundred dollars for the $64.95 pair of shoes.

Moore's Air Jordans have made a significant impact on the world of fashion and athletic shoes. At first, critics were skeptical of the shoe but despite their awkward design and bold color scheme, they became a status icon among teenagers.The demand for Air Jordans grew so intense that teens began stealing them and gangs recruited new members with the promise of a pair of the infamous shoes. Moore's innovative style has since become an inspirational standard for athletic shoe design. Air Jordans are still one of the most popular athletic shoes on the market.

Posted by: Jessica Lantz

Sources:

No author. (June, 1985). Air Jordans Takes Off: Nike's Shoe Named After Basketball Star. Newsweek, p. 79.

Image Retrieved October 4, 2009 from

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2012/2091805458_a9f1ed55d3.jpg?v=0