Robert C. Crawford, professor at the University of Nebraska who taught creativity classes in the early 50s, wrote about ATTRIBUTE LISTING in his book, The Techniques of Creative Thinking  published in 1954.

So this week let's try an "oldie but a goodie".

ATTRIBUTE LISTING

1. Take a common object/challenge/problem.
2. List as many of its attributes as you can.
3. Then concentrate of one of the attributes listed.
4. Generate ways to change that attribute.
   (just for fun make they very far out or unreachable today)

My 5th step.

Take 1 to 6 of the wildest and think about how you/we might reach or create that result.

In 1954 my father was learning to use a computer at his company to do his gear engineering designs. The computer took up a large room and involved "punch cards" and much computer language learning.

If he had used "attribute listing" he might have listed "size of the computer". Then he might have "off-the-walled" and said I want it small enough I can carry in around. Or he might even have said "I want small enough it could fit in my pocket (protector) like my 6" slide rule does."

Then he might start working on how that might be possible. He might have started to look at which components created or required the size and might have started creating ways to reduce them.

Viola his son buys a "palm top" computer in 1998.

Your challenge if you take it this week is to use attribute listing on a "lawn mower".