Archive
New Ways to Make Old Parts
My last post discussed reviewing the ratings and designs of “legacy products,” those venerable parts and gearboxes still being ordered twenty, thirty, or even fifty years after they were first
Brainstorming to Better Products
Many gear companies are not in a position to develop new products but most of them could make their current products better. Business schools may preach the importance of bigger,
Of Swamp Coolers and Window Vents
Mr. Carrier did not invent modern air conditioning until 1902 but he was just another in a long line of inventors to seek relief from the summer heat. In some
A Long Hot Summer
We are having a bit of a heat wave in the Chicago area, not the deadly type of 1996, but uncomfortable for much outside activity. I marvel at the toughness
The Next Big Thing?
My last post covered the importance of enthusiasts in keeping technology alive. For many of us the “crazy bug” came from wandering through Radio Shack or the surplus store at
Different Kinds of Crazy
One of my favorite musicians, Delbert McClinton, has a song about his true love being the “same kind of crazy as me.” I have often thought of that in my
Passion is a Good Thing
I wrote in my last post about the passion our technical experts feel for the gear trade. Passion, in my opinion, is an underappreciated factor in a successful career, no
Expert Advice
If you needed any more proof that Gear Technology is an unusual publication, consider the “Ask the Expert” column (that appears in each issue of both Gear Technology and
Is Selling for Dinosaurs?
During a recent meeting between a client’s evaluation team and a potential supplier, we did the usual business card exchange and verbal introductions. A member of my client’s team picked
