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Nov

How Creative Thinking Kicks The Soccket Ball to Success

by Sheron Long on November 7, 2013

Brain-shaped light bulb symbolizing the power of creative thinking to solve problems

When brain power lights up and creative thinking flows, people find the
good ideas that solve perplexing problems.
© iStock

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In 2008, for an engineering project at Harvard, Jessica O. Matthews teamed up with Julia Silverman, to prototype a soccer ball that traps kinetic energy during play and then turns the energy into a light source.

They called it the SOCCKET because a light inserted into the ball uses the stored energy for power. Thirty minutes of play harnesses enough energy to power a LED light for three hours. Read more...

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Clever Ideas/Innovations/Making a Difference/The World's Entrepreneurs

Nov

Life’s Wonders Drift in on a Feather

by Janine Boylan on November 4, 2013

Where Feathers Come From, tby Chris Maynard, showing life's wonders in feather art (© Chris Maynard)

Where Feathers Come From
turkey feather
© Chris Maynard

Chris Maynard’s Creative Process

Where Feathers Come From, by Chris Maynard, showing life's wonders in feather art (© Chris Maynard)

detail, Where Feathers Come From
© Chris Maynard

“Feathers,” artist Chris Maynard says, “represent life’s wonders.”

A trained biologist, Maynard knows a lot about birds and their feathers. He can tell you everything from the structure of feathers to the patterns of bird migration.

Turning to Art

Although he studied the sciences, Maynard grew up around art. And his artist mother was very careful not to squelch her son’s creativity. When his mom passed away in 2008, Maynard had a life-changing “Oh, I see” moment. He decided to turn away from his science career to the art she had taught him to love. Read more...

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The World's Art & Design

Nov

Culture Smart: What’s the Trouble with Translations?

by Sheron Long on November 3, 2013

The word to say when you miscommunicate in another language

Communicating Across Cultures

An oft repeated story faults Chevrolet in marketing the Chevy Nova in Latin America because “no va” means “does not go” in Spanish. The only problem with this classic international business blunder is that it’s just not true. Read more...