Look at the past (2/3) – immortal ideas
Immortal ideas
When thinking about change and progress, most of us will be aware of the importance of new technologies and developments. Blogs, seminars and magazines on the latest technological achievements and trends are a cherished source of inspiration. But how often do you consult history books when looking for ways to innovate your business?
Timeless approaches
Some ideas are so good, they are recommendable, regardless of the century you live in. Einstein’s thought experiments are as relevant as they were ever, The Art of War is still one of the best-selling books on management strategy (some twenty-five centuries after Sun Tzu wrote it) and the ancient riddles of Heraclitus are no less powerful today as when they inspired Plato, Aristotle and Nietzsche.
Leonardo da Vinci already understood the merits of looking at nature for inspiration. Many centuries ago he already used biomimicry to make his sketches for the flying machine and the spiral staircase (based on the anatomy of a bird and the snail shell).
These days, architects, industrial designers and many other advocates of progress use nature as a source of inspiration. Termite mounds were the inspiration for an energy-efficient shopping mall and office building in Zimbabwe that stores heat in the day and vents it at night as temperatures drop. Using a sophisticated cooling system that tiny insects have been using for a long time, resulted in an energy saving of 90%.
And what to think of innovations in the shipping market? O-foil took a close look at marine animals and designed a new propulsion system based on the swimming technique of dolphins. The results? Fuel savings of up to 50%, lower emissions and silent propulsion.
So… the next time you’re struggling with a tricky challenge, grab your history books and find out what lessons are still applicable. Let Heraclitus’ riddles inspire you when you’re stuck, let Sun Tzu advise you about management decisions or be observant like Da Vinci and ask yourself if nature has already solved a problem similar to yours…
What historical geniuses have shared immortal ideas that you can still use today?
Flickr Creative Commons Image via Jeff Kraus.
