Blog by Andrew Knight and Nicolás Rebolledo: “When we discuss patterns in government, it can seem like a relatively modern concept. But the idea of codifying and reusing what works runs deep in human history.
Consider the Clovis points of prehistoric North America—fluted stone spearheads made 13,000 years ago, spread across vast distances in almost identical form. The point itself was the pattern, passed from maker to maker. Ancient Egypt used cubit rods—state-issued measuring sticks that ensured everyone worked to the same standard. Medieval guilds transmitted design knowledge through apprenticeships, guaranteeing quality and protecting craft reputations. Edo Japan’s printed kimono catalogues enabled ordinary customers to browse designs and commission garments, scaling choice while allowing for local adaptation.
In 1837, patterns became explicit government business. Britain established the Government School of Design (which became the Royal College of Art) to teach artisans how to apply patterns to ceramics and textiles. This was an industrial strategy—patterns as statecraft to make British goods competitive.
In the 1960s, architect Christopher Alexander formalised this practice into “pattern languages”—documented, repeatable solutions for complex design challenges. This laid the foundation for how we think about design patterns today across architecture, software development, and service design.
Patterns are among the oldest design technologies we have, carrying values that have always shaped how societies create, share, and govern…(More)”
