Graphing Outside the Box...

These are graphs we've made based upon the data compiled so far in our blog. The graphs consist of significant events that occured in conjunction with a certain innovative design or invention that transpired from the 1980's and onward. There is also the inclusion of a timeline summarizing what was changing or beginning to evolve at the time, as well as driving factors of the decade and pictures to display a visual example of change during the given time period.


1980's graph PDF

1990's graph PDF


2000's graph PDF


Posted By: Rob Goodman

Tamper-Evident Packaging Saves the 80's

Tamper-evident packaging involves the use of a closure on some sort of packaging that if opened, it is clearly visible to anyone that sees.

The need and importance of such packaging came full-circle in the early 1980’s, when certain groups with the intent of using blackmail or for unknowable reasons, claimed they had tampered with jars of baby food with poisonous substances. Due to this, all supplies had to be thrown out since there was no way of knowing which jars had been tampered with. Companies responded by making jars with a button on top of their lids that popped up and made a noise indicating the package was un-tampered with since being bottled. Actions such as this were vital since tampering with products became not only an issue of social importance, but of economic significance as well. Companies experienced losses from throwing out supplies and from their tarnished image.

One such company that received a massive backlash was Tylenol. In 1982, tampering of their over-the-counter product led to the death of more than 7 people, when authorities discovered that the Tylenol each individual had taken was laced with potassium cyanide. The media labeled the incident as the TYMURS (a mix between Tylenol and murders), and a nation-wide recall of Tylenol bottles was issued and Tylenol’s market share fell from 35% to 8%.

Incidents such as this forced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to create stricter tamper-evident packaging laws, and companies like Johnson & Johnson added triple layer tamper-evident packaging to Tylenol’s products to help them save their image. Their strategy worked and ever since this incident, the FDA has progressively created more and more laws to reinforce the protection of marketable products, creating the need for more technology to create tamper-proof closures and seals.

Posted By: Rob Goodman

Sources:

Wolnik, KA, Fricke, FL, Bonnin, E, Gaston ,CM, Satzger ,RD (March 1984). The Tylenol tampering incident - tracing the source. Analytical chemistry. 56 (3), pp. 466A–470A.

Image retrieved from http://www.medidose.com/15mlpolyethylenevial-1.aspx

High-Definition Television Available Everywhere

The 1970's marked the stirrings of HDTV or High-Definition Television.

First developed in Japan to sell more TVs by improving the picture quality it soon gained popularity. The technology hit the market with the first HDTV system, dubbed MUSE, which was supposed to offer consumers the best picture and sound quality ever available.

1989 was an important year for the new technology as Japan became the first country to regularly broadcast HDTV. However, HDTV in the U.S. was first met with resistance. The Terrestrial Television Broadcasters were opposed to such broadcasts in the U.S. because they feared they would be pushed out of the HDTV market. HDTV requires a higher bandwidth than standard TV and the channels controlled by Terrestrial Television Broadcasters would not be able to handle such an increase. The United States Congress was also opposed to HDTV, essentially they did not agree that the U.S. should utilize another technology that was owned by another country. As time went out, the technology improved and the opposition softened when in 1995 the U.S. Federal Communications Commission set the standard for completely digital HDTV.

In 2006 the FCC mandated that all channels will have the capacity to broadcast HDTV. Now, such technology is standard in the U.S.

Posted By: Jessica Lantz

Sources:

undefined. (2009). HDTV History. In RepairHome. Retrieved October 25, 2009, from http://www.repair-home.com/HDTV_History.html.

Image Retrieved October 25, 2009 from

http://epltalk.lg1.simplecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/hdtv.jpg

CD: The Compact Disc

James Russell first had the idea in 1965 while working for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

He called it the Optical Digital Recording (ODR) and was originally made to store information digitally while a laser read the information. By 1980 he made the first disc player and was given the R&D 100 Award for his work. However, no company was interested in the technology until Sony and Philips licensed it a version of the ODR for audio, which they called Compact Disc (CD).

The CD first became commerically available in 1982 closely followed by the CD-ROM for data in 1985. Although new formats for audio and data storage are also on the market both the CD and CD-ROM are still widely used. Both technologies paved the way for such inventions as the MP3, DVD, and Blueray. However, the invention of the MP3 begged the question "will CDs go extinct?" So far, the answer is no.

Posted By: Jessica Lantz

Source:

undefined. (July 28, 2000). Who Invented the CD and the CD-ROM? . In Scrupuli: Essays with Sharp Points. Retrieved October 25, 2009, from http://metaed.blogspot.com/2000/07/who-invented-cd-and-cd-rom.html.

Image Retrieved October 25, 2009 from http://govia.osef.org/.

1980 Hybrid Concept Car

In 1980, the Briggs & Stratton Corp. introduced its plug-in, hybrid concept car stating, "we are all seeing our personal mobility threatened by rising petroleum prices and dwindling resources.

The fundamental appeal of electric cars is that they allow us to use energy sources other than petroleum on the road." The B&S car used a parallel hybrid system which allowed the owner to choose between gas, electric power, or both; a concept that has been borrowed by the Hybrid cars of today.

The 1980 March edition of Motor Trend Magazine found "the car's plug-in, electric-only range was between 30 and 60 miles, enough for many people to commute to and from work without using the gas motor. In hybrid mode, the car's range was about 200 miles."

The car appeared strange though, due to its 6-wheeled design. The weight of the batteries required extra support so 2 extra wheels were added to the address the problem. The car was built with little consideration for safety, the batteries were so heavy they could come hurtling toward the driver in the event of a crash. The B&S concept car had other problems as well--it was disturbingly loud due to its internal mechanical processes.

However, the B&S concept car was an important project for the Hybrid car industry. It's design concepts were improved upon to make more efficient Hybrid models. Although the "Green" movement is a prominent facet of today, its stirrings can be seen in projects like this.

Posted By: Jessica Lantz


Sources:

Carney, Dan . (June 1, 2007). Lawnmower-Engine MakerOnce Had the Lead in Hybrids. In The Wall Street Journal Online. Retrieved October 25, 2009, from http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB117932740689804953.html.

Image Retrieved October 25, 2009 from
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1980-briggs-and-stratton-hybrid-concept-car.htm

"Fly-By-Wire": Analog vs. Digital

First used in a test research aircraft from 1972 to 1985, NASA revolutionized the business of commercial and military airplanes by developing the F-8 digital “fly-by-wire (FBW)” system.

FBW involves a series of wires connected to the hydraulic system of an aircraft that checks for diagnostics involved with the stability of the plane. The pilot is connected and aware of this system by a computer which they control, rather than using the older traditional method of flying with a manual steering wheel. The main benefit of the digital system compared to the manual is the increase in aerodynamic efficiency. Essentially, you can better maneuver the aircraft more accurately without the sacrifice of losing natural stability. Stability is of utmost importance when operating an aircraft, because if it is disturbed by an outside force such as a gust of wind, the flight path can diverge drastically, increasing the “g-forces” pressed upon the the aircraft, which can result in the failure of the structure of the aircraft, causing it to fall apart and crash.

What FBW control provides is a “high-integrity automatic stabilization of the aircraft.” This type of faultless control allows aircraft designers more freedoms to create aircrafts that are lighter, and have better aerodynamic structure. Overall efficiency is the key word.FBW controls were first introduced into military aircraft with the redesign of McDonnell Douglas’ (now Boeing) YF-17 into the F/A-18, flying first in 1980.

In 1988, Airbus became the first commercial company to incorporate FBW into their airplanes with the introduction of the A-320. Other companies followed suit, such as Boeing who first used FBW technology in their 777 model in 1993, and then produced the airplane first with United Airlines in 1995. It should be stated that while FBW does offer many modern conveniences, it is also another case of technological advancements causing the manuals jobs of humans to become obsolete, as the system limits the autonomic actions of the pilot. However, the efficiency of FBW is undeniably a great step towards making modern transportation faster and more convenient.

Posted By: Rob Goodman


Sources:

Collinson, R.P.G. (1999). Fly-by-wire Flight Control. Computing and Control Engineer Journal. 10 (4), pp. 141-152.

Sabbagh, Karl. (1996). 21st Century Jet. New York, NY: Scribner.

Curry, Marty ed. (2009). Past Projects: F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire. NASA. Retrieved October 18, 2009 from http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/F8/index.html.

Image retrieved October 26,2009 from http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/F8/index.html

Postmodernism in Architecture

Postmodern architecture can trace its roots back to the 1950's when it was first developed, however it was not widely used until the 1980's. The term can also be be applied to dance and art and is defined as "the combination of modern forms, materials, and techniques with the subtle and highly conscious use of motifs and conventions from earlier periods." In reference to architecture, it's said to have developed in contrast to the popular International style of the 1970's.

Popular architects of the style included Robert Venturi, Michael Graves, and James Stirling who were celebrated for their diverse designs which were meant to appeal to people of all walks of life. Unlike International style which was considered "stark" and "cold," postmodern architectures embraced decoration, drawing on the "symbolic qualities of specific architectural stylesolic qualities of specific architectural styles." It can be said that Postmodernism is a "parody of traditional architectural forms" which is apparent in Robert Stern's Chicago Tribune Tower (1980) which is is covered with reflective glass and constructed to resemble a "Modernist" office block originally conceived by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.Postmodernism architecture was a keystone style of the 1980's and it continues to thrive today, still appealing to people everywhere.

Posted By: Jessica Lantz

Sources:

"Postmodernism," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2009
http://uk.encarta.msn.com.

Image Retrieved October 22, 2009 from
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://indospectrum.com/images/photos/chicago-3/cd033_31may04_tribune1000.jpg&imgrefurl=http://indospectrum.com/photo/cd033_31may04_tribune1000&usg=__WA0w8yAOBBlbJo-o7wujNXtTg9k=&h=575&w=396&sz=54&hl=en&start=2&sig2=KJy_G7aKEZDIpg5FuPdyQg&um=1&tbnid=HFMxstRSfGaE1M:&tbnh=134&tbnw=92&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchicago%2Btribune%2Bbuilding%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1&ei=rNPgSrX-BNHV-Qaau6mlCw

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

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