The concept of brainstorming has a rich history, dating back to 1948 when advertising executive Alex Osborn published "Your Creative Power," which included a chapter on the technique. Osborn's team used brainstorming to generate 87 ideas in just 90 minutes, and he outlined four primary rules: no negative feedback, focus on quantity over quality, use others' ideas as launchpads, and encourage big thinking. While brainstorming can be highly effective, it can also be a waste of time if not done correctly. To make the most of brainstorming, individuals can try independent brainstorming strategies such as finding word associations, using prompts, visual jumpstarts, setting boundaries, taking away boundaries, and experimenting with group brainstorming techniques like brainwriting, the 6-3-5 method, and sharing inspiration. These approaches can help generate great ideas by leveraging diverse perspectives, avoiding groupthink, and creating a collaborative environment that fosters creativity and productivity.