ISSUE #2

ISSUE #2 “Originality does not mean thinking something that was never thought before; it means putting old ideas together in new ways.”

It is a fairly common cowboy-like characteristic in all of us to be trailblazers – to be original, unique. We want to lead the way in something, and are not content to play second fiddle in every area of life, for the entirety of life. Being the ultra-connected society that we are, we are identified and identify others by originality. The term “originality,” however, is a much more multifaceted term than to merely mean putting old ideas together in new ways. Originality can mean new ways, new ideas, new perspectives, and even new deliveries. All of these “traits” of originality are superbly represented by Apple Inc. in their latest invention, the iPhone.

Cell phones have been popular for quite some time; Apple did not invent the cell phone. Apple did, however, bring a new perspective to the cell phone market, put some old ideas together in new ways, deliver the product in innovative ways, and incorporate some never thought before ideas and designs into a product we all can admit is the first of it’s kind…is original.

Firstly, Apple identified in the increasingly mobile trend of the technologically-savy, that most people were carrying mp3 players, PDAs, cell phones, cameras and grocery lists. While many grumbled every time they plunged their gear into whatever pant pocket was available (and not already in use), Apple took on a new perspective that wasn’t to design some flashy new satchel to carry all of these necessities. Rather, it was to minimize the number of things a person had to carry in the first place.

For a few years now, cell phone companies have been testing the waters with multi-function devices. We’ve seen PDAs take on the ability to make phone calls, cell phones take on the ability to play music, take pictures, and semi-surf the internet, and music players take on the ability to store voice and typed notes (can you say iPod?!). So while combining multiple functions into one device wasn’t a new idea, putting them ALL together was definitely original. Enter Apple. Enter iPhone. 

Not only did they take an old idea and make it new, they made a device that is both eye-pleasing and flashy, simple and easy to use. With one device, a person can make phone calls, keep track of the grocery list, listen to music, watch movies, make notes, email, and even surf the internet in it’s entirety – not the slimmed-down version used up to it’s release. They then came up with a new way to distribute a cell phone – by letting people activate them from home! No more waiting in line at the cell phone store.

Finally, while many of these ideas were old ideas improved, some aspects of the iPhone were revolutionarily original – namely, a full-touch screen, and COMPLETE and seamless integration with your home computer. So while someone can put old ideas together in new ways, and be thought of as original, someone (or some company) can be trailblazing in creating something never thought of before, and be worthy of the same title.