Lines of Evolution

Altshuller established eight Patterns, or Lines, of Technical Systems Evolution:

• Life cycle

• Dynamization

• Multiplication cycle (Transition to Bi- or Poly- system)

• Transition from macro to micro level

• Synchronization

• Scaling up or down

• Uneven development of parts

• Replacement of human (Automation)

Here is an explanation of some of these patterns and a few examples of them:

The Pattern of Dynamization suggests that any technical system during its evolutionary process makes a transition from a rigid to a flexible structure. This transition can be summarized as follows: A solid system obtains one joint, then many joints, then the whole system becomes completely flexible. Dynamization also means that a ridged system may be divided into elements that can become moveable relative to each other.

Examples:

• The steering column of a car has a joint allowing adjustment of its vertical position.

• An antenna becomes collapsible

• The landing gear of an airplane folds and retracts

• A screwdriver whose stem is made of two springs, one inside the other, with opposite winding directions, making it completely flexible

The Pattern of Multiplication states that a technical system evolves first as a single system and then later multiplies itself. When similar elements are added together, it is called a homogeneous system. This combination of elements acquires a whole new property.

Examples:

• Two boats attached through a single frame (a catamaran) become more stable than two separate boats. Different elements added together form a heterogeneous system. Such a system provides more functions while occupying less space.

• The pocketknife began its cycle with a single blade. Different types of blades were added, then scissors, screwdriver, a file and so on. Another variation on the heterogeneous system involves the addition of an opposite function producing higher levels of innovation.

• A pencil and eraser are joined together.

• A tape recorder can both record and erase.

The Pattern of Multiplication usually ends with the rejection of all extra elements that belong to the heterogeneous system — driving the system back to a mono system and thus beginning a new cycle.The Pattern of Transition to Micro level states that elements of a technical system during its lifetime have a tendency to decrease in size, eventually collapsing into the micro level (molecules and atoms).

Examples:

• A record playing device transitions from a mechanical needle (having mechanical contact with the surface grove of a record) into an optical system with a laser reading information on a digital disk.

• A computer mouse has a ball that converts mechanical hand movement into an electrical signal.

• The next generation of mouse is a touch plate, where the mechanical motion of a finger is transformed into an electrical signal.