Alex Osborn Archives

Born
Alex F. Osborn is born on May 24 to John Osborn and Katherine Lamb in the Bronx, New York.

Graduated Hamilton College, Clinton, NY
Earns a Ph.B. degree from Hamilton College, the third-oldest college in New York. Later receives a Ph.M. from Hamilton in 1921.

Fired from cub reporter job with Buffalo Times, accepts position with Buffalo Express
Hired by Steve Evans, city editor of the Buffalo Express. Evans notes that although Osborn’s early pieces were “amateurish,” each contained an “idea,” sparking Osborn’s commitment to developing imagination. Works at the Express for two years (1910–1911).

Key Career Decision — Accepts Job in Advertising
Writes to his father seeking advice on whether to take a safer job as Sales and Advertising Manager with Hard Manufacturing or pursue the riskier path in advertising with Matthews-Northrup Company. He chose advertising, a field he would significantly influence.

Sales Manager, Hard Manufacturing Company
Joins Hard Manufacturing, which produces beds and bedding. Uses innovative sales tactics, including loading a bed onto a truck to demonstrate it directly to dealers.

Married Helen Coatsworth
Marries Helen Coatsworth on September 5, daughter of Edward Emerson Coatsworth and Emma Marion Blocking. They later have five children: Katharine, Joan, Marion, Russell Barton, and Elinor.

BDO Advertising Founded
In August, joins the New York City agency founded by Bruce Barton and Roy Durstine. Launches the Buffalo branch, and the firm becomes BDO.

Short Course in Advertising Published
He authored his first book, a 249-page text published by Charles Scribner’s Sons of New York, marking his entry into the world of professional publishing.

BBDO Formed
By 1924, BDO had become the fourth-largest agency in the U.S. In 1928, it merged with the Batten Company to form BBDO, employing over 600 people across New York, Chicago, Boston, and Buffalo.

Brainstorming First Employed
Introduces a structured group-conferencing method following specific guidelines to generate imaginative ideas. Participants refer to these meetings as “Brainstorm Sessions.”

How to Think Up Published — McGraw Hill
A pioneering book exploring the value of ideas and imagination. Osborn writes: “The more ideas we can think up, the more satisfying our lives will be.”

Your Creative Power: How to Make the Most of Your Imagination Published
Publishes a widely influential book explaining how readers can intentionally develop creativity. Includes detailed approaches to individual and group brainstorming, plus ideation-stimulating questions.

Applied Imagination Published — Charles Scribner’s Sons
Osborn’s most famous book. More than 50,000 copies are printed between 1953–1956. Later translated into German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese. Creativity courses begin at the University of Buffalo.

Creative Education Foundation Established
Founds CEF to advance creativity education and share CPS approaches with future generations.

Begins Collaboration with Dr. Sidney Parnes
CPSI (Creative Problem Solving Institute) is held for the first time. Dr. Parnes attends and later moves to Buffalo to collaborate closely with Osborn.

Received Honorary Doctorate — Hamilton College

Received Chancellor’s Medal — University of Buffalo
UB President Furnas praises Osborn’s lifelong commitment to creative education, stating it has helped “untold numbers” of people live fuller lives.

Passed Away
Dies at age 77 from a rare blood disease—a memorial service held on May 7 at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Creativity Courses Move to Buffalo State
Drs. Sidney Parnes and Ruth Noller transitioned creativity education from the University at Buffalo to Buffalo State. The creativity program becomes a permanent department. Undergraduate minor approved in 1974; Master of Science degree approved in 1975.