In just six weeks from the time the design was started, we had the motor on the block testing its power.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
We were then satisfied that, with proper lubrication and better adjustments, a little more power could be expected. The completion of the motor according to drawing was, therefore, proceeded with at once.
When the motor was completed and tested, we found that it would develop 16 horse power for a few seconds, but that the power rapidly dropped till, at the end of a minute, it was only 12 horse power.
The typical project design time for a large company like IBM - and they keep track of this - is a little over four years.
We worked with the engineers in the design and construction and testing phases in those various areas, then we would get back together at the end of the week and brief each other as to what had gone on.
When the machine had been fastened with a wire to the track, so that it could not start until released by the operator, and the motor had been run to make sure that it was in condition, we tossed a coin to decide who should have the first trial. Wilbur won.
The first 2 weeks, they didn't learn the piece - they went through the process of how the piece was made.
In two days, it's hard to to get the quality you would normally want for a design project.
I've had a good run. I've built a lot of things that work and a lot of things that didn't work.
It has taken a great deal of energy, which has not been so difficult to summon as the necessary patience to wait, simply wait much of the time - until my instincts assured me that I had assembled my materials in proper order for a final welding into their natural form.
After two weeks of working on a project, you know whether it will work or not.