The course of history is defined by moments when something ground breaking, highly original and important happens, just every once in a while. Seminal designs, patterns, techniques and technologies mark turning points in architecture, sculpture, print design or weaving, which are remembered, adapted, copied and revered for centuries, and which certainly spawn masses of copies.
Such innovations often come out of a general movement or inspiration, when there is ‘something in the air’; some seemingly come from nowhere, others are not even recognised in their own time as being anything other than a bit odd–certainly not ground breaking.