Inventive thinking may not save your business, but it will always make a statement.  Check out this clever moment of Subtraction from Restaurant Florent;

(via Gawker)

The Hands-Free Umbrella is a great idea, not to mention a great example of Subtraction.  It’s also kind of interesting to note that it’s invention was preceded by the need for a hands-free mobile phone. Legislation can speed up the process of Inventive Thinking, but that even a 4,000 year old product can be improved by applying one of the Five Patterns.

(via swissmiss)

Though we wouldn’t necessarily trust the care of our pearly whites to a dentist who advertises on a telephone pole, we are willing to acknowledge a creative take on the traditional format;

What’s bit disconcerting about this instance of Multiplication though, is that the mouth looks decidedly worse for the wear as more people extract (Subtract?) teeth.  Usually its just sad when there are no takers for free firewood, or the services of a tri-lingual nanny.

This blog titled “Garfield minus Garfield” speaks for itself as an instance of Subtraction, but here’s a description from the site anyway;

“Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolor disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life? Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let’s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against lonliness and methamphetamine addiction in a quiet American suburb.”

While Jon doesn’t come off so well without Garfield, the reader benefits from the Subtraction by gaining a new perspective on a beloved comic strip.

The Eazzzy USB Camera was invented with this blog in mind, as evidenced by Gizmodo’s post on the design;

“What do you get when you develop a digital camera that lacks one of the most important benefits that digital cameras provide? This EazzzY USB camera concept from designer Sungwoo Park that’s what. The device is stripped down to its bare functions—only one button, a pinhole sized viewfinder, and USB connectivity.”

Apparently this camera is intended for the consumer nostalgic for the mystery and suspense afforded by a traditional film camera, and the time consuming photo development process. Seeing as it comes standard with a built in USB port, the “thrill” of not knowing how your shots came out is subject to the same effects of Subtraction as the design and functionality.

Subtracting the LCD display from the digital camera restores some of the guesswork to traditional photography, and simultaneously refines the process of transferring digital data from one device to another. We also think the Happy Meal aesthetic of the Eazzzy USB camera makes it the perfect accessory for the OLPC Laptop (One Laptop Per Child).

Universal remote controls were a nice idea in theory, but proved to be less than practical as an all-in-one device management system.  It’s a shame really, as entertainment components and peripherals have continued to multiply at an alarming rate.  The cynics among us might interpret the commercial failure of the Universal Remote as defining the limits of Inventive Thinking.  We say, wanna make a bet?

Just because Task Unification didn’t take, doesn’t mean the conventional remote control is immune to creative design that will benefit the consumer.  Combining poker’s persisting popularity with a hint of Wiimote functionality and an iPod inspired interface,  produces a winning example of Subtraction through Attribute Dependency;

“The Game Card remote enables you to control volume and change channels all via card playing like gestures. Sliding your thumb up and down in the center raises/lowers volume. Sliding the top card over a tad changes channel. Sliding it all the way takes you on a wild channel surf.” (via Yanko Design)

The Universal Remote tried to get away with an age old accounting shortcut; “subtracting” the number of necessary peripherals by transferring the remaining balance of buttons to a single device.  The Game Card subtracts buttons from the equation altogether, indirectly addressing the original problem of “where is the %*#@ remote?”

Thus, we consider the Game Card remote a welcome addition to an already extensive collection of “clickers,” because its unorthodox design will no doubt make it easy to find.  Well, assuming you don’t get it mixed up with your iPod…

If you’ve already ponied up the cash for a subscription to satellite radio, this advertisement for a local terrestrial radio station will make you reconsider your commercial free ways.  Posing as the standard giveaway contest, 96.3 Rock Radio uses Subtraction to make passerby take pause and ponder the connection between broadcast airwaves and air guitar.  Both are free, with no peripherals required.

(via ad goodness)

We suppose stranger things have happened, but who could concieve that the very men who brought us AOL would eventually provide a much needed update to the traditional payments industry business structure.  Word on the street is that the RevolutionCard better reflects consumer credit card use in online transactions.  Long live chairman Case!

It’s a simple case of Subtraction to be sure.  Revolution Money Inc has removed the name and account number from the physical card, a move that increases security and minimizes the risk of identity theft.  The RevolutionCard is PIN based, so a lost or stolen card is pretty much useless. 

Removing sensitive information from a credit card is a step in the right direction and accurately reflects consumer reality.  Yet the RevolutionCard also wisely accounts for the economic reality of the retail industry.  Subtraction can be applied to create a powerful incentive for merchant adoption, minimizing a harmful convention of the payments industry; the interchange fee. 

Charging a mere .5%  per transaction, compared to the industry average of 3-5%,  will help promote widespread acceptance of the RevolutionCard by merchants.   A lower interchange fee increases profit margins, and accepting the card requires no initial infrastructural investment. 

Say what you like about wine enthusiasts, and the kitschy accessories marketed to retirees and yuppies; against all odds, Vindesign 2007 has resulted in a few inventive instances of Subtraction that go well beyond the inumerable iterations of wine glass charms. 

Our personal favorite is from glue glue design, an Italian firm that has (hopefully) re-invented the wine glass.  Little more than a stainless steal stem, it could be a wry take on the “stemless wine glass” currently popular with the Williams Sonoma set.  It is in fact an opportunity for the consumer to attach the citrus fruit of choice , and enjoy an enhanced alcoholic beverage;

“in an object adapted to cocktail party and festivities, occasions in the which sangria, shots and other drinks are enriched from a yielded touch…drinking wine directly from the fruit is a simple gesture, an action that exalts the nature of the nectar.”

That’s wine tasting terminology we can identify with.  (via NOTCOT)

Here’s an interesting instance of Subtraction; Blackle.  In the natural world, white objects reflect all the parts of the visible light spectrum, while black objects reflect squat. Removing the white background from the Google search page doesn’t exactly scream “effective search engine,” especially when it is to be replaced by its non-reflective counterpart. 

However, in the world of monitor displays, black is the new white.  By subtracting the white background, Google search becomes more energy efficient.  According to the scientific minds that be, “a given monitor requires more power to display a white (or light) screen than a black (or dark) screen.” Roberson et al, 2002

While some naysayers have argued that the energy saved by darker displays is insignificant, Heap Media, the creative force behind Blackle, makes a good point;

“We believe that there is value in the concept because even if the energy savings are small, they all add up. Secondly we feel that seeing Blackle every time we load our web browser reminds us that we need to keep taking small steps to save energy.”

Blackle can also reminds us that even mighty Google Search can be improved through a little non-intuitive inventive thinking.