Module 14 : Complex Paradigms in Product Design
  Lecture 39 : Swiss Army Knife, Sign Language
 

“Rivets and flanged bushings made from brass hold all machined steel parts and other tools, separators and the scales together. The rivets are made by cutting and pointing appropriately sized bars of solid brass.”
Read more: Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Army_knife ; Nov.8, 2012)

Therefore, the design of the knife incorporated with number of other paradigms (small/large, expansion/ contraction, big/small, attachment, joints, etc.) that goes to support building such a unique tool. Each tool has specific application, however all the functioning is linked to each other. It is a multi-tasking tool that has strong interactive characteristics. Tool box instruments are miniaturized into pocket size product to be used in especial situations.

Sign Language

Human beings have Ten Fingers that can communicate with people quite efficiently. It can express emotion, various feelings along with proper non-verbal communication. The power of sign language is realized by mankind for centuries.

During the classical Greek period Socrates had mentioned the power of non-verbal communication. Socrates says in the fifth century BC, in Plato's Cratylus: "If we hadn't a voice or a tongue, and wanted to express things to one another, wouldn't we try to make signs by moving our hands, head, and the rest of our body, just as dumb people do at present?"
(Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_language ; Nov.8, 2012)