Mr. Warming pointed to another picture of the spare, yet modern, steering-wheel column and single large dashboard dial on an old 1960s Mini, the inspiration for the minimalist dashboard of the Mini Rocketman, an even tinier Mini concept car that made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

WSJ: Anders Warming: The Man Who Reinvents Wheels | Creating

When the single of the same name was released it was accompanied by a 14-minute mini movie that redefined the concept of music videos.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Magazine | Thrills and spills and record breaks

While there has always been a role for things mini - especially in technology where the concept is defined in terms of micro and nano - marketers and consumers alike have increasingly accelerated adoption of the trend.

FORBES: Mini Is The New Maxim