Innovation Rainmakers

Principle

32. Changing the Color

a. Change the color of an object or its surroundings
b. Change the degree of translucency of an object or

surroundings

c. Use colored additives to observe objects or processes which

are difficult to see

d. If such additives are already used, employ luminescent

traces or tracer elements

Principle Description: Change the color of an object or system to enhanced system value or detect problems.

Hints on Usage: Changing the system or component color distinguishes system features. How could changing colors enhance detection, improve measurement or identify location? What problems could be detected? What state changes could be indicated? Which capabilities could be controlled visually? What problems could be masked?

Examples:

Keys are made with a colored insert or even with tie-dye decoration, to readily select which key is needed for a particular lock.

Humidity detector cards change color from white to pink when excessive moisture is present.

Batteries now have built in sensors that change color when tabs are pressed to show their state of charge.

Ray Sprigle changed his color by posing as a black man to experience firsthand what it meant to be a black man under the Jim Crow laws of segregation.

In lean manufacturing environments, color is often used to indicate status of a flowing item.

Tracer chemicals which cause a color change are used to indicate infiltration or a leak in a barrier.

When fire trucks were painted lime green instead of red, people saw them better.