This technique has been used by a variety of people including Synectics, Inc. I was reminded of it while flipping through INNOVATION, INC.: Unlocking Creativity in the Workplace by Steve Grossman, Bruce Rodgers and Beverly Moore.

My adaptation produces the following Creativity Challenge to help us practice and build our Creativity Muscles.

First list "Parallel Worlds" in the present or across time Use the alphabet from a to z to spark your list.

Parallel Worlds - Occupations or Businesses

Parallel Worlds - Periods of Time in History

Next step, randomly select 4 to 6 of your Parallel Worlds
Make a list of them.

Next select a problem.... Creating a new hand towel/paper towel

Now take one Parallel World and spend time thinking about your problem (product) in that time period. What took your product's place in that time period or how might it be used in that profession or occupation now? What else might it be great to have it do in the future?

Next make a list of the ways people in the past or in the different occupations accomplished/accomplish what they tried/are trying to do without your product?

Then imagine how you might expand or improve your product to accomplish these.