Bannister Effect
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Bannister Effect

What is it?

The Bannister Effect is when something seems impossible until someone proves it can be done, and then others quickly follow.

The Bannister Effect refers to the phenomenon where people achieve what was once considered impossible after someone else does it first. It’s named after Roger Bannister, who, in 1954, became the first person to run a mile in under 4 minutes. Once he broke this barrier, many other runners quickly followed suit, showing that perceived limits are often mental rather than physical.

Tesla's Example:

For years, people thought electric cars would never be practical or affordable. Then Tesla came along and showed that electric vehicles (EVs) could be fast, efficient, and have a long range. Once Tesla made EVs popular and proved they could work, other car companies started making their own electric models. Now, electric cars are becoming mainstream and economically viable, with many automakers following Tesla’s lead.

It’s like Tesla breaking the "impossible" barrier, just like Roger Bannister did for the 4-minute mile, and inspiring others to catch up. ...