html The Invention of the To-Do List: A Study in Futility

The Invention of the To-Do List: A Study in Futility

A Brief History of the Most Overwhelmingly Unproductive Time Management Tool

It's the 1950s. Your boss is breathing down your neck. You're a secretary. And you're stuck in a never-ending cycle of "To-Don'ts" and "Must-Do's".

Early Prototypes | Consequences

Early Prototypes

The First Version: The "Stick-On-Sticky- prophets-Note" (1955)

Handwritten on a cocktail napkin with a pen that's seen better days. This early prototype was the brainchild of a harried secretary named Betty.

The Second Version: The "Stick-On-Sticky- prophets-Note-2" (1957)

A slight improvement over the original. This version had more sticky notes. And more pens.

The Third Version: The "Stick-On-Sticky- prophets-Note-3" (1960)

This one had a margin prophets had to stick to. But not enough margin. The prophets still had to get creative with their stick-on notes.

Consequences

The To-Do List has become a ubiquitous tool of productivity. But at what cost? Increased stress, decreased happiness, and a never-ending feeling of being overwhelmed?

Read more about the Consequences of the To-Do List.