Henry Ford was s stickler for efficiency.

     Legend has is that when the Model T was in production, his parts suppliers were obliged to conform to his exact packaging specifications in order to receive contracts. Crates had to be of uniform size, and bolted (rather than nailed) together in a prescribed manner, using a predetermined type of bolt. His suppliers thought he was out of his mind, but they complied. When his orders arrived, Ford had the crates carefully taken apart, then bolted into his cars as floorboards...using the free parts his suppliers had so generously provided.

   Henry Ford, a recycling pioneer—or a businessman who was crazy like a fox?

Acknowledgments: 15

© Russ Brown, 1998