From Autoblog.com:
"Volkswagen produces passenger cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs, but the German automaker also feels it has a civic responsibility to get our plumping society into shape. Proof of concept is this initiative by VW and ad agency DBB called The Fun Theory, designed to get people in Stockholm, Sweden to take the stairs instead of the escalator.Lola's Diner
VW didn't send out a lame piece of PR extolling the virtues of exercise to get some hearts pumping harder. Instead, the automaker turned an ordinary set of subway stairs into a mega-sized piano. When passers-by step on the stairs, each key makes the appropriate piano sound. Make the jump to see the results.
VW says 66% more people used the stairs after music came on the scene, and judging from the video, it looks like they were having fun doing it, too. We still prefer the music made when pushing a well tuned 2.0-liter turbo to its limits, but if jumping on giant pianos is good enough for Tom Hanks, it's good enough for us, too."
©2008-2009
It's a great concept... but once the novelty wears off, I wonder how many will continue with the stairs? It also must have been cacophonous during rush hour (notice they didn't provide audio of when the stairs were filled with people ... I know the focus was to show that no one was taking the escalator, but still, I can't help but wonder about the noise produced at that time!)
ReplyDeleteThe principle is sound, though (oooh, a pun!): having fun definitely transforms a chore! :)
How funny! I don't know it might get clogged.. All those people wanting to play a song. could just hear them trying to give this excuse to the boss for being late "I got stuck on the subway stairs try to find a note":,lol.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great concept but I think I'd enjoy it just the same watching my kids walk up it while I rode the escalator! No wonder I'm struggling with my marathon training, dammit!!
ReplyDeleteI like the lone folks who stand there having fun all by themselves. That is a great video--I'm all about having more fun!
ReplyDeleteHey Lola I loved this video so I put a your link as a post today. Great find.
ReplyDeleteLucy
O yea here my link http://postpartumillness.com/node/169
ReplyDelete