rampstyle #26 Good News

Two thin ovals far up inside a circle, a curved arc below, sketched on sunny yellow. In a split second, our brain has combined the elements into a smiling face, instantly putting us in a good mood. Wonderful! A smiley like that just feels good. The smiley was invented twice: once in 1963 by Harvey Ball, a graphic designer and advertising expert, who was commissioned by a U.S. insurance company to create something to motivate its employees. The company paid $45 for it, but Ball never had the idea of applying for trademark protection. Franklin Loufrani, a French management consultant, was more enterprising. He placed his smiley in the newspaper »France Soir« in 1972 as an indication of good news and had it legally protected. So much for the first round of inventions.

We owe the second invention to Scott Fahlman. The professor of computer science wrote on the Carnegie Mellon University electronic discussion forum on September 19, 1982: »“I propose the following character sequence for joke markers: :-). Read it sideways.« It was probably the ten silliest minutes of his life, Scott Fahlman revealed extremely gleefully in conversation. So let's take note right here: Just ten minutes of silliness can make the world a happier place.

The New York Power Couple

It's been a good two years since photographer Chris Colls and his girlfriend, model Alexandra Agoston, found their loft in New York's SoHo district. We took a look around it and talked to the hottest creative couple of the time.

Exclusive: Bryan Adams Photographs Stereophonics Singer Kelly Jones

Bob Dylan once confessed to be a fan of the band, we asked frontman Kelly Jones for an interview, plus Bryan Adams photographed the Brit exclusively for us. If this is not good news...

Teenage Rampage in a Lambo

What happens when a father wants to impress his daughter with a Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Roadster? Nothing dangerous, I promise.

A very rare conversation with stylist Jo Hambro

Usually, British stylist Jo Hambro, who invented Keith Richards' pirate style, doesn't give interviews. We were allowed to talk to her! A huge delight.

The talented Jude Law

An interview with actor Jude Law about greatest happiness and lousiest self-doubt. By the way: He has very green eyes.

The futurists of Vollebak

Should the world end, the label Vollebak, founded by brothers Steve and Nick Tidball, has something suitable: Fashion for Extremes. So we asked around.

Sebastian Fitzek in an interview

As Germany's most successful thriller author, Sebastian Fitzek keeps countless readers awake. We called him and were surprised to find out: The man is an optimist!

The :-) inventor 

U.S. computer science professor Scott E. Fahlman told us how he came up with the smiley. Spoiler: He wanted to prevent misunderstandings.

Juliane Marie Schreiber on the terror of positivity 

In her book, Juliane Marie Schreiber does deal with compulsive optimism, but it doesn't mean you can't be happy, as she says. We think that's great.

Porsche design chief Michael Mauer looks to the future

What will become of the automotive industry? What role will design play? We ask Michael Mauer, the top designer at Porsche Welt.

How Helmut Schlotterer founded Marc Cain

Helmut Schlotterer very successfully launched the premium fashion brand Marc Cain in Italy in 1973. And he really is an extremely entertaining conversationalist. 

A moment with Chronext co-founder Philipp Man

In February 2013, Philipp Man and a friend had the idea for an online marketplace for luxury watches. Today, he's working on living more in the now. Not quite so easy, he says.

Porsche's test driver and the emotions

When you meet a development engineer and test driver from Porsche, you don't really expect him to talk about empathy. But that's exactly what Lars Kern does. 

In conversation: Simon Loasby, Head of Hyundai Styling

Simply consistent: Simon Loasby, Head of Hyundai Styling, on the Streamliner-era inspired IONIQ 6.

The CUPRA City Garage as a driving force 

The CUPRA City Garage wants to be more than just a showroom; this is where the brand celebrates its desire for the rebellious. We wanted to take a closer look.

Objects of good humor

We discovered a really good-looking suitcase, a loudspeaker by Jean-Michel Jarre, a travel BBQ set and many other things to make the summer even better.