The history of NLP

1975 – Richard Bandler and John Grinder develop NLP

	Richard Bandler (1950 in New Jersey) Student of Mathematics, Computer Science, then Psychology long-haired flower child NLP founders DHE, Neurosonics
	John Grinder (1938 in Michigan) Assistant Professor of Linguistics under Gregory Bateson Supervisor of Bandler's workshops Knowledge about modeling NLP founders
	Gregory Bateson (1904 – 1980) Anthropology studies, field research in New Guinea Developer of the double-bind theory Worked with dolphins in Hawaii Member of the University of California

Richard Bandler and John Grinder are considered the two founders of NLP. Richard Bandler had already dealt with mathematics and computer science, when his interest shifted to the behavioral sciences (psychology). During his studies, he learned John Grinder to know, an assistant professor of linguistics. Grinder, with his brilliant understanding of language, and Bandler, with his curiosity, formed a relationship that laid the foundation for a methodology that revolutionized human communication. Both were the key figures of NLP. They firmly believed that for humans, any change is fundamentally possible, as long as one does not set limits to their beliefs. Thus, they began, under the guidance of Gregory Bateson (anthropologist and systems theorist) to investigate the behavioral patterns of successful communicators and therapists, to make the effective patterns for human change explicit. This discovery and copying of human excellence is called Modeling of Excellence. Later, top performers were also identified and modeled in other fields, such as sales, leadership, partnership, sports, etc.

1976 – Development of the Meta-Model

	Virginia Satir (1916 – 1988) Studied social work Engaged in family therapy Founded the Mental Research Institute Satir types Life stations: from Chicago to Palo Alto
	Fritz Perls (1893 – 1970) Studied psychoanalysis Concentration therapy Development of Gestalt therapy Existential deadlock Life stations: Berlin, Frankfurt, New York, Vienna, South Africa

With a series of questioning strategies, based on the transformational grammar approach of Noam Chomsky as well as the works of Alfred Korzybski, a pattern began to take shape, which later became known as the meta-model of language and was introduced to the public in the first NLP book ever (“The Structure of Magic”) by Bandler and Grinder. The meta-model was developed from the analysis of the language structures of Fritz Perls (Gestalt therapy) and Virginia Satir (family therapy). With this language model, one can very effectively gather information about the limitations in the thought models of the communication partner and resolve them. The meta-model is still the basis of effective change work in NLP, as it allows one to gather crucial information about the structure of a problem. The letters “MM” for meta-model later became the logo of Bandler's and Grinder's publishing company “Meta Publications”.

1977 – Development of the Milton Model

Milton Erickson (1901 – 1980) Studied psychology most significant hypnotist Most significant hypnotist President of the Society for Clinical Hypnosis Journal “The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis” From the analysis of the work of

Bandler and Grinder developed the Milton Model. This is a language model based on trance-inducing speech patterns. The model helps in formulating artfully vague suggestions, thus enabling the client to utilize their own associations for the change work. It is also possible with this model to guide a client through a change process without content. Allegedly, Milton Erickson once succeeded in putting Richard Bandler into a trance. Milton Erickson from which Bandler and Grinder developed the Milton Model. This is a language model with trance-inducing language patterns. The model helps in formulating artfully vague suggestions, allowing the client to utilize their own associations for the change work. With this model, it is possible to guide a client through a change process without content. Allegedly, Milton Erickson never succeeded in putting Richard Bandler into a trance.

1980 – Development of the Strategy Concept

Around 1980, Richard Bandler, John Grinder, and Robert Dilts published the concept of strategies. This was a logical consequence of the previous NLP work. The concept is based, among other things, on the work of Galanter, Pribram, and Miller (TOTE model). With this model, the structure of our thought processes was first deciphered and made usable for change work.

1982 – Development of the Reframing Concept

Bandler and Grinder developed the concept of reframing. This allows for contact with unconscious parts, which are the cause of unwanted behavior or symptoms of illness. This enables changes that were previously only accessible in hypnosis.

1984 – Development of the Submodalities Concept

Richard Bandler developed the concept of submodalities – one of the most effective techniques in NLP. Submodalities represent the “programming language of the brain.” People take in information with their five senses, process and store it internally as events and thoughts, which are represented within their senses – the so-called modalities. These modalities can be specified even more precisely; for example, one can accurately inquire about the inner image of a past experience, such as whether it is large or small, colored or black and white. The special thing about this concept is that it takes advantage of the fact that our brain reacts not only to what we think, but also to how we think – whether in colored or black and white images, loud or quiet, etc.

1988 – Development of the Time-Line by Tad James

Tad James developed Time Line Therapy. This method is particularly suitable for gently healing traumatic experiences from the past. With the help of the time line, unconscious or repressed traumas can be found and processed, which are now the cause of health or emotional problems.

1990 – Robert Dilts develops Reimprinting

Robert Dilts developed reimprinting and processes for changing limiting beliefs and problems that arose from relationship structures of our childhood. An imprint (Imprint) is a significant experience from the past, from which the affected person has formed a belief or several beliefs. Such an imprint usually also involves an unconscious role assumption from important people. The purpose of reimprinting is to find missing resources, change the belief, and adapt the role model to the real and current circumstances of the affected person.