Examples of Diffusion

Computers were once as big as a closet and only wealthy companies or large research labs could afford to have them. However, as technology improved, smaller computers were purchased for office use. Finally in the 1990s, wealthy American families began purchasing computers for their homes. Now nearly everyone has access to computers in America regardless of income.

• Hierarchical Diffusion

• Contagious Diffusion

• Relocation Diffusion

• Stimulus Diffusion

Most of South America speaks Spanish because Spain (a Western European country) established colonies in South America beginning in the 1500s. Spanish missionaries and conquistadors taught native South Americans to speak a European language. However, Brazil speaks Portuguese. This is because Portugal (another Western European country) sent explorers and colonizers to that area in the 1500s as well.

• Hierarchical Diffusion

• Contagious Diffusion

• Relocation Diffusion

• Stimulus Diffusion

Jazz music is often described as “America’s gift to the world”. What began in the U.S. in the 1920s is now popular everywhere in the world. Each country the adopts jazz music, puts their own spin on the sound. Often times, they keep the same jazz beats, but include different instruments from their own music traditions.

• Hierarchical Diffusion

• Contagious Diffusion

• Relocation Diffusion

• Stimulus Diffusion

The Ebola virus outbreak of began in a small village in Sierra Leon. Within a couple of weeks it had spread to other areas of the country. After 3 months 4 countries in West Africa were dealing with Ebola outbreaks.

• Hierarchical Diffusion

• Contagious Diffusion

• Relocation Diffusion

• Stimulus Diffusion

Austin is known for its breakfast tacos and “Mexican” restaurants. The types of food served in these places are often very different from traditional cuisine in Mexico. Austin has created a whole different style of cooking that combines some Mexican recipes with more Texas style ingredients.

• Hierarchical Diffusion

• Contagious Diffusion

• Relocation Diffusion

• Stimulus Diffusion

The first subway (underground trains) system began in London in 1868. New York City created their own subway in 1907. Buenos Aires started the first subway in Latin America in 1913. Tokyo, Japan was the next major city to begin an underground system in 1927. Moscow, Russia in 1935. Because subway systems are so expensive, only large cities are able to pay for their construction. However, as the world’s population continues to grow, it’s not just the world’s largest cities that see the value in subways. In 1940 there were only 6 subway systems, all in the world’s largest cities. Today there are over 150 cities with underground transits.

• Hierarchical Diffusion

• Contagious Diffusion

• Relocation Diffusion

• Stimulus Diffusion

Blue Bell Ice Cream started in 1907 in Brenham, Texas. At first, small batches were made for just the people in Brenham. Slowly over the years more towns surrounding Brenham began buying the ice-cream. Eventually Blue Bell had to increase their operation to supply ice cream all over central Texas. By 1970s, Blue Bell was being sold everywhere in the state. Currently the ice-cream is available in 23 different states.

• Hierarchical Diffusion

• Contagious Diffusion

• Relocation Diffusion

• Stimulus Diffusion

In the 1960s, surfing started to gain popularity in Southern California. These surfers began to look for new surf spots in Mexico, Peru, and South Africa. By 1980, all of these countries had developed surf cultures of their own.

• Hierarchical Diffusion

• Contagious Diffusion

• Relocation Diffusion

• Stimulus Diffusion

Soccer is the world’s most popular sport. Often times when a famous player, like Neymar, creates a new hairstyle, other pro soccer players around the world choose a similar hair style. As more pro soccer players adopt that same hair, fans of their teams start to choose the same hair style for themselves. Suddenly, what started as a pro player trend, becomes a world-wide trend, especially for teenagers who want to emulate their favorite players.

• Hierarchical Diffusion

• Contagious Diffusion

• Relocation Diffusion

• Stimulus Diffusion

There are several traditions of Santa Claus around the world. Each carry their own cultural style.

• Hierarchical Diffusion

• Contagious Diffusion

• Relocation Diffusion

• Stimulus Diffusion