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1 - Dick Fosbury’s High Jump Was No Flop!

from Part I - Sports

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2021

Edward A. Wasserman
Affiliation:
University of Iowa
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Summary

In my book, I explore the origin and evolution of a variety of behavioral innovations – including the Butterfly Stroke, the High Five, and the Heimlich Maneuver – which appear to have been ingeniously and foresightfully designed. More commonly, however, these creative acts have actually arisen “as if by design.” This revelation requires a much more thorough look into the histories of these innovations in order to better understand the very nature of behavioral creativity. What emerges is an intricate web of causation involving three main factors: context, consequence, and coincidence. By concentrating on the process rather than the product of innovation, I elevate behavior to its proper place – at the very center of creative human endeavor – for it is truly behavior that produces the innumerable innovations that have captivated thinkers’ imagination. Those most splendid theories, goods, and gadgets would never have come into being without the behaviors of their inventors.

Type
Chapter
Information
As If By Design
How Creative Behaviors Really Evolve
, pp. 21 - 27
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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References

Anonymous (1937). Scissors High Jump by Heinrich Ratjen in Berlin in 1937 [Photograph]. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-C10378,_Hermann_Ratjen_alias_%22Dora_Ratjen%22.jpgGoogle Scholar
Anonymous (1952). Straddle High Jump by Esther Brand at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics [Photograph]. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Brand#/media/File:Esther_Brand_1952.jpgGoogle Scholar
Burnton, S. (2012, May 8). 50 Stunning Olympic Moments: No28: Dick Fosbury Introduces ‘the Flop.’ The Guardian. www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/may/08/50-stunning-olympic-moments-dick-fosburyGoogle Scholar
Hoffer, R. (2009, September 14). The Revolutionary. Sports Illustrated. https://vault.si.com/vault/1004226#&gid=ci0258bf761003278a&pid=1004226---062---imageGoogle Scholar
Kommer, R. (Photographer). (1972). Debbie Brill Performing the Brill Bend in 1972 in Essen, Germany [Photograph]. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Debbie_Brill_1972_b.JPGGoogle Scholar
Olympic (n.d.) Dick Fosbury Changes the High Jump Forever – Fosbury Flop- Mexico 1968 Olympics [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SlVLyNixqUGoogle Scholar
Spikes (2014, November 28). Floppin’ Heck! [Interview with Dick Fosbury]. https://spikes.worldathletics.org/post/dick-fosbury-tells-spikes-why-its-called-theGoogle Scholar
Trower, J. (2018, October 19). Fosbury: A Beautiful Mind? Medford Mail Tribune. https://mailtribune.com/sports/community-sports/fosbury-a-beautiful-mindGoogle Scholar
Turnbull, S. (1998, October 18). Jumper Who Turned Top of the Flops. The Independent. www.independent.co.uk/sport/athletics-jumper-who-turned-top-of-the-flops-1179100.htmlGoogle Scholar
Verschoth, A. (1971, February 22). She Gets Her Back Up. https://vault.si.com/vault/1971/02/22/she-gets-her-back-upGoogle Scholar

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