In his creativity book, The Forgotten Half of Change, Luc De Brabandere shares that it took about half a century to move from sailing ships to steamships. Resistance to change from sail manufacturers only led to ships with more and more masts. During that time, hybrid ships took to the waves; for example, the Sphinx was equipped with three masts but also with a funnel for a steam boiler.
In 1833, if you were an onlooker seeing that ship sail by, how would you perceive its double source of energy? On one hand, you might see the engine as something that could be useful on a day with no wind; on the other hand, you could think of the sails as something that could come in handy should the engine break down. This means one can view the same boat from two angles; as you see more and more of these steamships, then one day, you realize that this is no longer an option, thus resulting in a break in your perception.
Or, what about an abaculator—an abacus that comes with a four-function calculator? Or, a book with an attached CD (containing an electronic version of the book)? Change is not an option—the options are what and when. As De Brabandere remarked, “You have to change twice: perception and reality.”
© Yan Kow Cheong, Feb. 17, 2013