Reliability and product integrity

Abstract

During the late 1950s, zero defects (ZD) was the mantra preached by government and industrial bureaucrats. Self-appointed reliability experts offered tutorials and held meetings as ZD offices proliferated and people signed ZD pledge cards. Questioning of the new ZD religion was considered heresy by its apostles. However, there was no coda of metrics or conduct in the ZD liturgy for achieving the impossible zero defects. Gradually the ZD pins, often a mandatory appurtenance, found their way into wastebaskets and ZD czars shriveled into oblivion.