How Pettiness Inspired Major Innovations: From Netflix to the Telephone Exchange

The internet is abuzz with intriguing stories about how pettiness has driven significant technological advancements and business ventures. A recent viral image on a social media platform, likely Tumblr, showcases a series of text posts that shed light on this fascinating phenomenon.

The image begins with a post from user **what-is-this-i-dont-even**, who reveals that the inception of Netflix was sparked by a $40 late fee from Blockbuster. This seemingly trivial incident led to the creation of a streaming giant that revolutionized the entertainment industry.

Following this, user **iverbz** chimes in with a bold statement: "Pettiness is the greatest motivation in the world." This sentiment sets the stage for more compelling anecdotes shared in the subsequent posts.

In a historical twist, user **berlynn-wohl** narrates a story from 1888 involving Almon Brown Strowger, an undertaker who discovered he was losing business to a rival undertaker. The rival's wife, a telephone operator, would intercept calls meant for Strowger and redirect them to her husband's business. Fueled by this unfair practice, Strowger invented the automatic telephone exchange, eliminating the need for human operators and transforming telecommunications forever.

The final post, by user **bayoub********, succinctly concludes, "he destroyed a whole workforce," highlighting the unintended consequences of Strowger's invention.

These posts collectively illustrate how pettiness and competitive behavior have spurred individuals to create groundbreaking innovations. From the birth of Netflix to the development of the automatic telephone exchange, these stories remind us that even the smallest grievances can lead to monumental changes.