Story-Teller
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- Feb 22, 2009
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FORD’S V-8
“Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.”
—Samuel Johnson Rasselas
People with vision often butt heads with the more practical world. One person often sees in his or her mind’s eye how something could be accomplished, but convincing others is no easy matter. A select few can ignore the nay-saying of others and push to make their vision become a reality. Henry Ford wanted to build a V-8 motor with all cylinders cast in a single block. Engineers could design it on paper, but they all agreed that it simply could not be built. “Produce it anyway,” was Ford’s reply. Reluctantly, the engineers tried. For months and months they tried, and came to Ford saying, “It can’t be done!” But Ford continued to insist, and the engineers tried more ideas.
After more than a year of experimentation, there seemed to be no reasonable solution to the problems. The engineers reiterated their first assessment: “Impossible.” Ford again said, “Keep trying.” Although the engineers remained convinced that the task could not be accomplished, a solution was eventually found and Ford had his V-8 motor. Some called Ford hardheaded, and they were right! However, had it not been for his stubborn determination, Ford would not have pioneered many of the advancements that revolutionized the fledgling automobile industry. A visionary may see capabilities far beyond what is currently possible. If there were no visions of the future, we would not strive to reach them.
CONSIDER THIS: The solution to a problem may not be readily available. It may be thousands of man-hours away. But if you can conceive that there is an answer, you can eventually find a way to make it happen.
Submitted by Richard
“Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.”
—Samuel Johnson Rasselas
People with vision often butt heads with the more practical world. One person often sees in his or her mind’s eye how something could be accomplished, but convincing others is no easy matter. A select few can ignore the nay-saying of others and push to make their vision become a reality. Henry Ford wanted to build a V-8 motor with all cylinders cast in a single block. Engineers could design it on paper, but they all agreed that it simply could not be built. “Produce it anyway,” was Ford’s reply. Reluctantly, the engineers tried. For months and months they tried, and came to Ford saying, “It can’t be done!” But Ford continued to insist, and the engineers tried more ideas.
After more than a year of experimentation, there seemed to be no reasonable solution to the problems. The engineers reiterated their first assessment: “Impossible.” Ford again said, “Keep trying.” Although the engineers remained convinced that the task could not be accomplished, a solution was eventually found and Ford had his V-8 motor. Some called Ford hardheaded, and they were right! However, had it not been for his stubborn determination, Ford would not have pioneered many of the advancements that revolutionized the fledgling automobile industry. A visionary may see capabilities far beyond what is currently possible. If there were no visions of the future, we would not strive to reach them.
CONSIDER THIS: The solution to a problem may not be readily available. It may be thousands of man-hours away. But if you can conceive that there is an answer, you can eventually find a way to make it happen.
Submitted by Richard
