Famous Flops
Identify an example of one recent successful innovation and one recent unsuccessful innovation that others in the class are likely to be familiar with. Post a description of your examples along with a short sentence explaining why you think each was (was not) successful.
Here is my favorite repository on flops, http://www.ThisisBroken.com
ReplyDeleteSome fool invented an INFLATABLE DART BOARD
ReplyDeleteHe wanted a want to easily transport his dart board (it was too large). This innovation was a flop becuase he didn't consider actually using the board. I think he used it once. Solve one problem, create another. Huh.
Innovation success
ReplyDeleteCell phone text messages
I'm pretty sure these were invented by someone at a bar who couldn't hear their friend over the phone. Its a useful way to get a short message across without having to pick up the phone. This is useful if you are in a meeting, class, or bar.
Innovation Flop
Laser Discs
I remember we had a laser disc player in our classroom in elementary school. We watched interactive learning movies. It seemed like a good idea until the DVD came out. With its smaller discs and digital format, the DVD made the laser disc obsolte in a short matter of time. It was simply released too late.
Successful Innovation: iPod+Nike=NikePlus
ReplyDeleteA great way to have a chip in the shoe communicate with the iPod when you run. With NikePlus you don't need a watch and you don't need to map out a route beforehand. You can just setup time and distance goals and the "computer" guides you through the run with voice prompts. Awesome! I use it and I love it!
Flop: Webvan
In concept this is a great idea but delivering groceries in New York city and San Francisco...and double parking all the time was a little challenging. There was a running joke in the silicon valley about traffic cops having a field day with Webvans as they always broke parking regulations and got tons of tickets. This concept has been present in many eastern countries like India and Pakistan for ages... it is when communities call in orders to small grocery stores and they get it home delivered. Though the idea was good, the thin margins in the grocery business did not allow for its growth and expansion. One of those outside the box ideas without realistically predicting the economic constraints.
Success: Southwest Ding to your desktop.
ReplyDeleteDING! brings you even deeper discounts directly to your desktop. You can choose up to 10 airports and get live updates from your cities.
Great for finding savings on airplane tickets.
Flop: Pontiac Aztek
Aztek sales never came close to projection. Hundreds of them were forced on GM employees for use as company cars. Each year, standard equipment levels and rebate offerings went up and prices went down in an attempt to move a few of the Azteks' across sales lots. It was both a design bust and a sales flop for GM. After five long years on the market, GM pulled the plug, putting the Aztek to rest.
Successful Innovation: The Pool Noodle
ReplyDeleteThese brightly colored water toys keep kids safe and entertained in the pool for hours. I only wish I had created these foam floaties...
Unsuccessful Innovation: Mini-CD Player
The mini-CD player was a flop. This product seemed doomed from the onset. First, most folks owned CD players and of course, lots of discs. Purchasing this smaller version just did not make economic sense for consumers. Second, consumers were not interested in purchasing a CD with little storage space or play time. Finally, the timing of the miniature CD’s introduction was just prior to the advent of digital music technology.
Successful Innovation: Circular Knitting Needles! Us crafty types used to have to use multiple double-pointed needles to knit round things like hats and arm holes. Then someone came up with circulars, which alleviate the awkwardness of 5 needles and the risk of loops falling off of 10 points. Genius!
ReplyDelete[In some contexts] Unsuccessful Innovation: The Segway was touted in 2001 as the transportation mode of the future, but has yet to catch on in the mainstream.
Innovation Success:
ReplyDeleteProblem-based learning.
The defining characteristics of problem-based learning are:
1) Learning is driven by challenging, open-ended problems.
2) Students work in small collaborative groups.
3) Teachers take on the role as "facilitators" of learning
Problem-based learning has become increasingly popular in schools across the country and is especially prevalent in mathematics classrooms. At this point nearly all teachers who complete an approved teacher education program will be exposed to the principles of problem-based learning.
Innovation Flop:
The Edsel
The Edsel was a Ford manufactured during 1958, 1959, and 1960.
According to Wikipedia (which we all know is the ultimate authority on pretty much everything worth knowing) "the car brand is best known as one of the most spectacular failures in the history of the United States automobile industry". Apparently, the marketing strategy used by Ford led consumer to believe the Edsel would be an entirely new kind of car. In reality, the Edsel shared bodywork with other Ford models, and there was an adverse public reaction to the car's styling and conventional build.
Favorite Successful Innovation: The mp3 player
ReplyDeleteYes, it's the obvious choice, but being a music person I don't know what life would be like without it!
Favorite Unsuccessful Innovation:
Crystal Pepsi
Pepsi's version of New Coke. Perhaps my favorite because of the SNL commercial "Crystal Gravy"
innovation success:
ReplyDeleteI really find the innovation of Tetra Pak clever. Tetra Pak was founded on the philosophy that a package should save more than it costs.
innovation flop:
I choose Iridium because it was a multi billion dollar project with very fundamental problems; the handset was big, the service was expensive and the customers were never identified. Indium filed for bankruptcy, making it one of the 20 largest bankruptcies in U.S history.
Successful Innovation: "Space Opera"
ReplyDelete- The genera is fairly new, the term was coined in the 40’s and Star Wars and Star Trek perfected it. They have influenced film and TV for the last 30 years. Not to mention billions in merchandise, licensing, and royalties.
Unsuccessful Innovation: “Rock Opera”
- Has anyone seen The Who’s, “Tommy” or “Quadrophenia.” How about Genesis’ “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway”? No? OK, maybe Pink Floyd did it well with “The Wall,” but you don’t see people rushing out to make more rock operas.
Scott Smith