Fast Company, December 2008/January 2009

INNOVATION’S

UPSWING

Depending on who you ask, the Industrial Revolution unfolded over 150 (or so) long but innovative years. Today’s equally innovative—but comparably rushed—Digital Revolution will transpire in barely a quarter of this time.

What’s next is anyone’s guess, but you can be sure the pace will once again pick up and innovations in TECHNOLOGY, DESIGN, and SUSTAINABILITY will lead the way.

1991

Al Gore invents the Internet . . . err, we mean ushers in legislation that leads to the development of the Internet as we know it.

1993

CDs finally overtake cassettes as the preferred medium for prerecorded music. Audiophiles rejoice, twenty somethings mourn the loss of the mix tape, and CD-technology is quickly adapted for data storage creating a multibillion-dollar market.

1992

The EPA launches its now-famous Energy Star program, kick-starting a w ave of energy-saving innovations among manufacturers worldwide. Lay ing the groundwork for ongoing leadership in TFT-LCD (thin film transistor liquid crystal display) technology, Samsung develops its first 10. 4" TFT-LCD flat-panel display.

1 995
2001

As the Internet takes hold, an entirely new digital economy opens up, business interactions are changed forever, and socializing—even dating—goes digital.

Samsung follows up its 1999 release of the world first 24" TFT-LCD screen with the world’s first 40" TFT-LCD display. Additionally, the company is recognized as the world’s leading producer of TFT-LCD flat-panel screens for the third year in a row.

The Innovative Design Lab of Samsung (IDS)— an in-house design school with a global perspective— opens in Seoul.

1998
1989

Samsung, the world’s largest manufacturer of monitors, is named Energy Star’s “Monitor Partner of the Year” for the third year in a row. The company’s innovative SyncMaster technology allows monitors to “sleep” when not in use, resulting in reduced energy consumption, pollution, and electric bills.