What Do the Founding of the Internet and Bridge Have in Common? ...Drawing
Internet pioneer, Vint Cerf, made a big break through by drawing it on the back of an envelope in 1983. This story, shared in today’s The Wall Street Journal, hit home because I first drew the concept for Bridge’s Product Syncing solution on a napkin at a Chelsea bar in 2007. That concept now helps 1,100 indie shops sell 60k+ products from 100+ premium brands, including Le Creuset, Baccarat, and Versace. Since that drawing, I’ve become a big fan of drawing processes to explain them, as well as enhance them. (A shout out to author Dan Roam for extolling the power of drawing.)
What did Mr. Cerf, who worked at Stanford University at the time with Robert Kahn, draw that day? He drew an updated version of his Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCI/IP) plan, then, after it was typed up, threw it away and has since lived with regret. Don’t be too hard on yourself, Mr. Cerf. I, too, threw out my napkin.
Cheers to you, Mr. Cerf.
PS - Thanks to friend Drew Nawoichyk for sharing this story about Mr. Cerf.