Volkswagen Subway Initiative Transforms People's Moods

A dose of fun in mundane activities can positively influence human behavior. In 2000, the initiative group at Volkswagen set out to prove this delightful hypothesis. They chose the Stockholm subway, where they ingeniously transformed a staircase into a musical piano. This whimsical project aimed to observe how people's choices might change when confronted with an opportunity to add joy to their routine. The result? A surprising 66 percent of individuals opted for the musical stairs over the adjacent escalator.

Volkswagen's concept was simple yet brilliant. They replaced a conventional staircase in a Stockholm subway station with steps that resembled a piano keyboard. Each step produced a musical note when stepped on, creating a playful and interactive experience for commuters. The idea was to turn an ordinary daily task – climbing stairs – into a source of joy, transforming a mundane routine into a moment of lighthearted fun.

The experiment sought to answer a fascinating question: Could introducing enjoyment influence people to choose an alternative over the convenience of an escalator? The answer, as demonstrated by the 66 percent who chose the musical stairs, was a resounding "yes." This quirky initiative showed that the integration of playfulness into our daily lives has the potential to encourage positive behavior changes.

The success of the musical stairs experiment speaks to the psychology of playfulness. When presented with a choice between a conventional escalator and a set of stairs that produce musical notes, people were naturally drawn to the element of enjoyment. The project inadvertently tapped into the pleasure-seeking aspect of human behavior, showcasing how simple alterations to our surroundings can influence decision-making.

Beyond the joyous melody created by each footfall, the project also subtly encouraged physical activity. By choosing the musical stairs, commuters engaged in a brief but beneficial physical exercise, aligning with the growing awareness of the importance of an active lifestyle. The experiment underscored that even small changes, such as turning stairs into a musical instrument, can contribute to promoting a healthier way of living.