Creators by Paul Johnson

These are my notes from Creators by Paul Johnson. Each one contains a core idea from the book that stood out. The goal of writing my notes this way is that each could be it's own independent idea with the need for the specific context within the book.

Macro Events Birth Uncertainty & Opportunity

Charles Lewis Tiffany started making his own jewelry in 1848. Within two decades he was the biggest jeweler in America. His business was not just expanded by a growing demand for luxury. When the Civil War broke out in the early 1860s, Charles switched to producing swords, badges, buttons, and insignia, providing Tiffany & Co. with huge profits. In 1848, Charles also bought up cheap jewelry collections from Paris, Vienna, Berlin, and Italy—taking advantage of Europe’s political instability. These were sold to Napoleon III during his rise to power and bought back when he fell. When stability and peace returned for periods, Charles would use his profits to expand the business even more.

Create Strong Currents for Ideas

Louis C. Tiffany viewed himself as a "creator facilitator." Similar to Ben Musk or Thomas Edison, he simply made big acts of creativity possible through his vision and organizational skills. In an effort to connect artist cooperation and the new style of craftsmanship that was arising in the 1890s, Louis established Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company (an interior decorating firm). The only way he saw to bridge industries was to consolidate craftsmen under one organization. Directing these artists from all different techniques, he created a current for the best ideas to flow. The Tiffany name reaped the benefits of this coordination and a new standard of quality was set. He recognized this was the best way to achieve his vision to bring beauty to homes.

Impeccable Taste Is Insufficiently Acknowledged

Charles Lewis Tiffany always had extraordinary business knowledge that led to well-crafted strategies. When he opened his first shop in New York in 1837, he started selling stationery and fancy wares. To complete his mission was to connect the American wealth with the fine arts and craftsmanship of ancient Europe, something he took great interest in. Tiffany & Co. never would have grown into the enterprise it was today though had it not been for Charles Tiffany’s taste. Taste provided him the necessary element to choose his merchandise well. It was his form of creativity and ultimately what the wealthy paid for. They didn’t want just any piece, they wanted the pieces Charles’ taste curated for the market. The taste he developed through curation allowed him to thrive when he started creating his own works of jewelry.