The Shanghai World Expo 2010 has begun: the Netherlands' contribution includes not only the Dutch pavilion 'Happy Street' but one of China's major theme pavilions 'Urbanian' has been designed by Kossmann.dejong. In a special Expo report, we see how countries utilise design as a powerful marketing tool during the world's biggest public event. Also, we hear how Dutch companies dealt with the credit crunch during this year's Milan Furniture Fair and from Li Edelkoort's new exhibition 'POST FOSSIL: excavating 21st century creation', we learn that the future of design takes its inspiration from the beginnings of time.