This year, people all over the world will celebrate Leonardo da Vinci. The well-known Italian Renaissance master had many areas of interest, namely inventing, drawing, painting, sculpting, architecture, science, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, writing, history and cartography. And even though he died 500 years ago on May 2, 1519, he continues to impact our lives in ways that most of us don’t realize. Some 20th century ideas that we may think are fairly recent, such as the parachute, scuba gear, helicopter, tank and self-propelled vehicle, were actually original ideas from da Vinci himself.
Most of us know da Vinci for his famous paintings, The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, and for his sketch of The Vitruvian Man. But did you know he had a strong sense of curiosity and was obsessed with journaling? His codices (notebooks) had ideas and thoughts that ranged from mundane (his grocery lists) to remarkable (his idea for a flying machine). I mean, if he were alive today, I’m sure the guy would have a blog and a YouTube channel.
This got me thinking about the old adage, “there is nothing new under the sun.” In other words, that every new idea has some sort of precedent or echo from the past.
In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, many people are rediscovering older technology – either as a way to disconnect from their cell phones and laptops, or to find a visceral connection with others and their surroundings. For example, most major cities now have a place to buy gently used vinyl records, film cameras and vintage clothes. There are restaurants and bars that serve craft beer and gourmet-style meals amongst pinball machines, arcade games, skee-ball alleys, classic consoles, board games, life-size Jenga and Connect Four. Disney classics from the 90s, like Dumbo, Aladdin and The Lion King, are being remade for the big screen in 2019. Not that the 90s were all that long ago, but it shows that reaching back to our younger years is striking a chord.
For me, old-school technology takes shape in the form of black-and-white film photography. I use a Twin Lens Reflex Yashica Mat-124 camera. With only 12 shots on a roll of film, it forces me to slow down and think about both the technical and creative aspects of photography before I push down on the shutter. One of the benefits of using an old-school camera is that I take what I learn and apply it when using my new-school DSLR camera. I now use the same thought process no matter which camera is in my hand.
But enough about me. What about you?
Here are three questions you should ask yourself as you think about the successes of yesterday.
- What strategies worked best in the past? Can you breathe new life into them by using digital technology or fresh messaging?
- What killer products from your past assortment can be reinvented to satisfy nostalgia or create new excitement?
- What was the founder of your brands original goal? Is there something there that still rings true today?
I can tell you with almost absolute certainty that your answer for new, forward-thinking strategies can be found when answering the questions above. Chances are, you’ll find that your “way back when” may be able to help you here and now.
Need some help with that new-school creative approach? We can help. Drop us a line at holler@bonfire5.com.
