Strategic Inflection Points are subtle changes in the environment. If one is notable to monitor or identify New Emerging Technology or Shifts in Consumer Behavior, one may find its products and services becoming redundant and obsolete in the market place.
Strategic Inflection Points - Fountain Pens
By 1900, the main principles for a successful fountain pen had been established:
1. A reservoir for ink.
2. A filling system.
3. A method of supplying ink to the nib.
Finding the most successful challenge, with 3 American companies - Parker, Waterman and Sheaffer - dominating the market. The design of the fountain pen has not relied solely on the demands of engineering, for aesthetics have also played an important role. The look of a fountain pen, its size, weight, color, and the materials used in its construction all contribute to its success.
Despite the ascendancy of the cartridge pen and ball point pen and gel pen, the nostalgic tastes of a fountain pen ensure the desirability of the fountain pen both as collectible item and functional tool.
1. Waterman Eye-dropper - 1903
2. Parker Lucky Curve - 1916-23
3. Conklin Crescent Filler - 1923
4. Parker Pearly Vacumatic - 1935
5. Parker 51 - 1948
6. Parker 61 - 1956
7. Sheaffer Pen for Men - 1960
8. Montblanc 149 Masterpiece - 1970
9. Parker 180 - 1980
10. Parker Duofold [1929] - 1994
Let us now look at Strategic Inflection Points of the Jukeboxes:
Strategic Inflection Points - Jukeboxes
Coin-in-the-slot music machines were already well established by the time the golden age of the jukebox dawned in the 1940s. While the designers of this era such as Paul Fuller, are particularly revered, design aficionados are beginning to play closer attention to the two decades that followed.
The machines of the rock 'n' roll era - with which the jukebox has become synonymous - scream teenage rebellion with their blatant use of flashy automobile looks. The bold, bright colors of these classics are probably the first thing to cross most peoples minds on hearing the word "jukebox".
1. Polyp hon - 1900
2. Wurlitzer 1100 - 1948
3. Wurlitzer 1800 - 1955
4. Se burg KD200 - 1957
5. Rock-Ola Tempo 1475 - 1959
6. Rock-Ola Reg is 1495 - 1961
7. Ami Continental 2 - 1961
8. NSM Nostalgia Gold - 1995
Motorcycles had various Strategic Inflection Points because of New Emerging Technology:
Strategic Inflection Points - Motorcycles
Designers continue to exploit the latest materials and technology to enhance performance and provide a safe ride.
1. Werner - 1901
2. Excelsior 20R - 1912
3. BMW R32 - 1923
4. Megola Racing Model - 1923
5. Harley - Davidson Knucklehead 61EL - 1936
6. Triumph Speed Twin - 1939
7. Indian Chief - 1947
8. Vincent Black Shadow Series C - 1949
9. Honda 50 Super Cub - 1958
10. Honda CB750 - 1969
11. Harley - Davidson Evolution FLTC Tour Glide Classic - 1989
12. Kawasaki ZZ-R1100 - 1990
13. Husqvarna TC610 - 1992
Remember the good old fashioned Vinyl Disc which is now being threatened by Digital Technology:
Strategic Inflection Points - Music Systems
Today, the digital technology threatens the vinyl disc with obsolescence.
1. Graphophone - 1900
2. Pathe gramophone - 1908
3. Selecta portable - 1920s
4. Bermuda Dansette - 1950s
5. Braun Phonosuper SK55 - 1956
6. Beogram 4000 - 1972
7. Philips compact disc player - 1983
8. Denon Stacking System D-90 - 1995
9. Beosound 9000 - 1999
Toothbrushes, so common, yet face Strategic Inflection Points due to shift in Consumer patterns:
Strategic Inflection Points - Toothbrushes
1. Early Toothbrushes - 1900s
Bone Handle + Natural bristles
2. Plastic toothbrushes - 1930s-40s
3. Radius - 1984
4. Modern toothbrushes - 1980s-90s
Designers now compete over the details:
A. Most eye-catching colors
B. Most comfortable grip
C. The optimum angle and reach
D. The best bristle combination
5. Fluocaril - 1989
6. Electric toothbrush - 1990
Dolls, a girl child's best friend had the following Strategic Inflection Points:
Strategic Inflection Points - Dolls
1. Schilling doll - 1900
2. Kewpie - 1913
3. My Dream Baby - mid 1920s
4. Tyrolean dolls - early 1950s
5. Barbie - 1959
6. Barbie "Airline Stewardess" - 1963
7. Action Man - 1964
8. Cabbage Patch Kid - 1983
9. Baby Born - 1991
10. Barbie "Happy Holidays" - 1990s
We grow up with Toys and Models, Strategic Inflection Points here were:
Strategic Inflection Points - Toys & Models
1. Magic Lantern - 1900
2. Noah's Ark - 1900
3. Clockwork ship - 1904
4. Steiff teddy bear - 1905
5. Meccano - 1910
6. Hornby train set - 1920s
7. Dinky cars - 1930s
8. Scalextric - 1950s
9. Robby the Robot - 1956
10. Lego - 1958
11. Star Trek - 1977
12. Transformer robot - 1980s
13. Thunderbirds - 1992
14. Playmobil 1 2 3 - 1990s
15. Power Rangers - 1994
16. Tamagotchi - 1996
17. Teletubbies - 1997
18. South Park - 1997
Guitars, the good old fashioned Acoustic faced Strategic Inflection Points due to New Emerging Technology:
Strategic Inflection Points - Guitars
1. Gibson Style O - 1908
2. National Style O - 1926
3. Rickenbacker Electro Spanish - 1932
4. Gibson Les Paul Gold Top - 1952
5. Fender Stratocaster - 1954
6. Gibson Double - 12 - Late 1950s
7. Stienberger Bass - 1982
8. Ibanez - 1990
Wristwatches, so common, faced the following Strategic Inflection Points:
Strategic Inflection Points - Wristwatches
1. Oris Big Crown - 1910s
2. Waltham - 1920
3. Cocktail watch - 1930
4. Bulova Accutron - 1960
5. Oyster Perpetual - 1965
6. Speedmaster - 1969
7. Lasser digital - 1970s
8. Gold watch - 1970s
9. Casio digital - 1990s
10. Seiko Kinetic - 1990s
11. Omega Seamaster - 1995
The Automobile Industry faced the following Strategic Inflection Points in Cars:
Strategic Inflection Points - Cars
Few things map the development of design better than a car.
1. De Dion - Bouton Model Q - 1903
2. Model T Ford - 1908
3. Rolls Royce 40/50 - 1907
4. Citroen Traction Avant - 1934
5. Auburn 851 Speedster - 1935
6. Volkswagen Beetle - 1939
7. Citroen 2CV - 1948
8. Bentley R-type Continental - 1952
9. Mercedes - Benz 300SL - 1954
10. Fiat 500 - 1957
11. Buick Roadmaster - 1957
12. Cadillac Eldorado Convertible - 1959
13. Chevrolet Impala - 1960
14. Citroen DS - 1960
15. E-Type Jaguar - 1961
16. Volvo P1 800 - 1961
17. Porche 911 - 1963
18. Ford Mustang - 1964
19. Pontiac GTO - 1964
20. Ferrari Dino 246GT - 1969
21. Mazda RX7 - 1978
22. Volkswagen Golf GTi - 1976
23. Audi Quattro Sport - 1983
24. Renault Espace - 1984
25. Ford Ka - 1999
The Perfume Industry faced the following Strategic Inflection Points. Certain perfumes have lasted over 8 decades and are as fresh as ever. Credit goes to New Emerging Technology.
STRATEGIC INFLECTION POINTS - PERFUME
1. L'heure bleue - 1912
Blend of roses, irises, vanilla and musk.
Positioned as Romantic perfume.
The Baccarat glass bottle reflects this romanticism. Art Nouveau swirls at the shoulders of the bottle and delicately drawn label, the design suggests sensuality.
2. Chanel No 5 - 1921
Remains the essence of Simplicity.
It is square, with a plain wedge stopper and a minimal white label.
9 stages involved in sealing the fragrance in the bottle, including the placement of the wax-drawn CC at the neck.
3. Zenobia - 1924
The design of this bottle is resonant of nostalgia for the 19th century.
Every element is intended to suggest a sweet, natural, floral fragrance, from a rather syrupy name, Sweet Pea Blossom, to the combination of pastel colors used on the label and the pink bow tied around the neck of the bottle.
4. Jabat - 1939
The stopper is finished in the shape of a knotted bow and the base of the bottle resembles the skirts of a petticoat fanned out across the floor.
5. Jean Paul Gaultier - 1993
The perfume is molded in the shape of a woman's torso, pinched and pushed into shape by a corset.
6. DNA - 1993
The bottle is shaped like the double helix form of DNA.
