kthree
Mechanical
- Aug 9, 2004
- 57
I come before you today to appologize to Engineers all across the globe.
Changing the spark plugs in my car was always a simple task - until the right rear plug. Just getting the socket on that plug could take longer than changing all the other plugs. Once the socket was finally on the plug - you then had to get the wrench on the socket... AARGH! Over the years I developed many new names and descriptions for the various Engineers that played a part in developing the various vehicles and other maintainable equipment in my life. Many times I shouted my invites into the open air, for them to come and experience the fruits of their labor first hand. But now, 50+ years past my first ill thoughts toward the Engineering Community, I have finally come to realize that all those ill thoughts have been wrongly directed. This is the lesson my new Mr. Coffee coffee maker just taught me.
My first experience with Mr. Coffee was in the early 70's. When the heating element in my Corining percolator burned out, my plan was to replace it with another Corning. However, a friend had just purchased a Mr. Coffee and convenienced me to give it a try. I did, and have been hooked ever since. Whether at home or at work, we all love our Mr. Coffee. Recently, the Mr. Coffee at work quit working. As normal, I went to pick up another. What I found was the old, squat-pot unit was no longer available. Mr. Coffee had morphed into a new design. Did Mr. Coffee need redesigned? Not in my opinion. I was quite pleased with the time-tested design. However, it is not the human way to leave well enough alone - humans love to fix the unbroken. I picked up the new Mr. Coffee, took it to work and set it up. Over these past few days, I have come to miss the old squat-pot a little more each day. I am quite sure Mr. Coffee is proud of this new Mr. Coffee. On the other hand, I see it as a huge design disaster - one that has taught me a valuable, well deserved lesson - in matters like these, the Engineering Community is always the least culpable of all. The Engineering Community had absolutely no responsibility, in any way, for this train-wreck-of-design making it to market. That responsibility lies entirely within Management.
Thanks for listening. I feel better now. K.
Changing the spark plugs in my car was always a simple task - until the right rear plug. Just getting the socket on that plug could take longer than changing all the other plugs. Once the socket was finally on the plug - you then had to get the wrench on the socket... AARGH! Over the years I developed many new names and descriptions for the various Engineers that played a part in developing the various vehicles and other maintainable equipment in my life. Many times I shouted my invites into the open air, for them to come and experience the fruits of their labor first hand. But now, 50+ years past my first ill thoughts toward the Engineering Community, I have finally come to realize that all those ill thoughts have been wrongly directed. This is the lesson my new Mr. Coffee coffee maker just taught me.
My first experience with Mr. Coffee was in the early 70's. When the heating element in my Corining percolator burned out, my plan was to replace it with another Corning. However, a friend had just purchased a Mr. Coffee and convenienced me to give it a try. I did, and have been hooked ever since. Whether at home or at work, we all love our Mr. Coffee. Recently, the Mr. Coffee at work quit working. As normal, I went to pick up another. What I found was the old, squat-pot unit was no longer available. Mr. Coffee had morphed into a new design. Did Mr. Coffee need redesigned? Not in my opinion. I was quite pleased with the time-tested design. However, it is not the human way to leave well enough alone - humans love to fix the unbroken. I picked up the new Mr. Coffee, took it to work and set it up. Over these past few days, I have come to miss the old squat-pot a little more each day. I am quite sure Mr. Coffee is proud of this new Mr. Coffee. On the other hand, I see it as a huge design disaster - one that has taught me a valuable, well deserved lesson - in matters like these, the Engineering Community is always the least culpable of all. The Engineering Community had absolutely no responsibility, in any way, for this train-wreck-of-design making it to market. That responsibility lies entirely within Management.
Thanks for listening. I feel better now. K.
