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LETS'S LISTEN IN AS ED VISITS WITH LEROY HAGENBUCH, ENGINEER,
WITH LEROY HAGENBUCH, ENGINEER, INVENTOR AND COFOUNDER PRESIDENT
INVENTOR AND COFOUNDER PRESIDENT OF PHILIPPI-HAGENBUCH, INC.
OF PHILIPPI-HAGENBUCH, INC. >>YOU HAVE TO YOUR CREDIT, 89
>>YOU HAVE TO YOUR CREDIT, 89 PATENTS.
PATENTS. >>THAT NUMBER AND MORE, YES.
>>THAT NUMBER AND MORE, YES. WE HAVE AN ON GOING ACTIVITIES
WE HAVE AN ON GOING ACTIVITIES IN THAT AREA.
IN THAT AREA. >>51 IN THE USA.
>>51 IN THE USA. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. >>38 IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
>>38 IN OTHER COUNTRIES. >>AT LAST COUNT, YES.
>>AT LAST COUNT, YES. >>AT LAST COUNT.
>>AT LAST COUNT. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROCESS.
THIS IS AN ON GOING PROCESS. >>DEFINITELY AN ON GOING
>>DEFINITELY AN ON GOING PROCESS.
PROCESS. >>HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING IN
>>HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING IN THE COMPANY OF THOSE I WILL CALL
THE COMPANY OF THOSE I WILL CALL THEM HUGE CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS
THEM HUGE CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS AREA?
AREA? >> WELL, IT IS AN HONOR.
>> WELL, IT IS AN HONOR. IT IS A PRIVILEGE.
IT IS A PRIVILEGE. THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.
THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. PROBABLY THE RECOGNITION COMES
PROBABLY THE RECOGNITION COMES FROM HAVING BEEN I PRINCIPAL AND
FROM HAVING BEEN I PRINCIPAL AND STARTING THE COMPANY ALONG WITH
STARTING THE COMPANY ALONG WITH MY FATHER-IN-LAW AT THE TIME,
MY FATHER-IN-LAW AT THE TIME, AND DEVELOPING THE PRODUCT WE
AND DEVELOPING THE PRODUCT WE HAVE.
HAVE. WE HAVE A NAME THAT IS WELL
WE HAVE A NAME THAT IS WELL RECOGNIZED NAME, LITTLE HARD TO
RECOGNIZED NAME, LITTLE HARD TO PRONOUNCE, BUT WELL RECOGNIZED.
PRONOUNCE, BUT WELL RECOGNIZED. WE HAVE A HISTORY OF PRODUCING
WE HAVE A HISTORY OF PRODUCING PRODUCT THAT IS BETTER THAN WHAT
PRODUCT THAT IS BETTER THAN WHAT EXISTS CURRENTLY.
EXISTS CURRENTLY. >>THE FIRST IDEA I RECALL IS A
>>THE FIRST IDEA I RECALL IS A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE TAILGATE.
COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE TAILGATE. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. YES.
YES. THE STORY AS IT WAS TOLD TO ME
THE STORY AS IT WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY FATHER-IN-LAW, HE SOLD
BY MY FATHER-IN-LAW, HE SOLD SOME TRUCKS IN THE DOMINICAN
SOME TRUCKS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, BACK WHEN TRUE HILLIA
REPUBLIC, BACK WHEN TRUE HILLIA WAS IN CHARGE.
WAS IN CHARGE. THESE WERE TRUCKS GOING INTO A
THESE WERE TRUCKS GOING INTO A BOXIDE OPERATION, ALUM NUMBER
BOXIDE OPERATION, ALUM NUMBER ORE.
ORE. IT WAS SMALL, BUT BY, GOOD SIZED
IT WAS SMALL, BUT BY, GOOD SIZED CAPACITY TRUCKS, MADE BY DAR
CAPACITY TRUCKS, MADE BY DAR COMPANY.
COMPANY. HE DELIVERED 22.
HE DELIVERED 22. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY THERE WAS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY THERE WAS. AT THAT TIME IT TOOK 100 PERCENT
AT THAT TIME IT TOOK 100 PERCENT DUTY TO BRING A TRUCK INTO THE
DUTY TO BRING A TRUCK INTO THE COUNTRY.
COUNTRY. SO IF IT WAS $50,000, YOU HAD TO
SO IF IT WAS $50,000, YOU HAD TO PAY $50,000 DUTY TO THE
PAY $50,000 DUTY TO THE GOVERNMENT.
GOVERNMENT. I MEAN THE PEOPLE WHO WERE
I MEAN THE PEOPLE WHO WERE BUYING THE TRUCK KNEW THIS, THEY
BUYING THE TRUCK KNEW THIS, THEY ACCEPTED IT, AND JUST A WAY OF
ACCEPTED IT, AND JUST A WAY OF DOING BUSINESS.
DOING BUSINESS. ANYWAY, HE DELIVERED ONE OR TWO
ANYWAY, HE DELIVERED ONE OR TWO TRUCKS, AND THEY WERE OPEN-END.
TRUCKS, AND THEY WERE OPEN-END. IN OTHER WORDS, THREE SIDED BOX,
IN OTHER WORDS, THREE SIDED BOX, INSTEAD OF FOUR SIDED BOX.
INSTEAD OF FOUR SIDED BOX. THIS BOXIDE HAD A TENDENCY TO
THIS BOXIDE HAD A TENDENCY TO FLOW.
FLOW. HE GOT A CALL FROM THE
HE GOT A CALL FROM THE PURCHASER, MY MANAGER, WHOEVER,
PURCHASER, MY MANAGER, WHOEVER, SAID "PHILIPPI-HAGENBUCH EVER
SAID "PHILIPPI-HAGENBUCH EVER PHIL, THESE ARE GOOD TRUCKS, BUT
PHIL, THESE ARE GOOD TRUCKS, BUT BY THE TIME THEY GET HERE WHERE
BY THE TIME THEY GET HERE WHERE WE PROCESS THE MATERIAL, HALF
WE PROCESS THE MATERIAL, HALF THE LOAD IS GONE.
THE LOAD IS GONE. IT FLOWS OUT THE BACK.
IT FLOWS OUT THE BACK. THE STORY PHIL TOLD, HE WENT TO
THE STORY PHIL TOLD, HE WENT TO TOWN, AND WAS IN TOWN, NEAR
TOWN, AND WAS IN TOWN, NEAR WHERE THE MINE WAS AT, WENT TO A
WHERE THE MINE WAS AT, WENT TO A SHOE STORE, HOW HE TOLD IT, HE
SHOE STORE, HOW HE TOLD IT, HE BOUT TWO PAIR OF SHOES.
BOUT TWO PAIR OF SHOES. HE SAID KEEP THE SHOES, HE JUST
HE SAID KEEP THE SHOES, HE JUST WANTED THE BOXES.
WANTED THE BOXES. HE WENT BACK TO HIS HOTEL ROOM
HE WENT BACK TO HIS HOTEL ROOM AND FIGURED OUT WHERE THESE TWO
AND FIGURED OUT WHERE THESE TWO BOXES, HOW TO COME UP WITH WHAT
BOXES, HOW TO COME UP WITH WHAT WE CALL AUTO GATE TAILGATE.
WE CALL AUTO GATE TAILGATE. ANOTHER VERSION OF THIS, GRANBE
ANOTHER VERSION OF THIS, GRANBE BRITISH COLUMBIA, ASIDE DUMP
BRITISH COLUMBIA, ASIDE DUMP MINING CAR, ANYWAY, HE CAME UP
MINING CAR, ANYWAY, HE CAME UP WITH THIS, THE IDEA OF THE
WITH THIS, THE IDEA OF THE TERRELL GATE, FOR OFF-HIGHWAY
TERRELL GATE, FOR OFF-HIGHWAY TRUCKS.
TRUCKS. THEY HAUL VERY LARGE CHUNKS OF
THEY HAUL VERY LARGE CHUNKS OF MATERIAL.
MATERIAL. IT IS YOU CAN GET A CHUNK OF
IT IS YOU CAN GET A CHUNK OF MATERIAL THE SIZE OF THIS TABLE.
MATERIAL THE SIZE OF THIS TABLE. >>ONE CHUNK?
>>ONE CHUNK? >> ONE CHUNK.
>> ONE CHUNK. YOU CAN'T REALLY PUT A SWINGING
YOU CAN'T REALLY PUT A SWINGING GATE ON.
GATE ON. IT WILL JUST GET KNOCKED OFF.
IT WILL JUST GET KNOCKED OFF. IN FACT, WHEN WE STARTED, AS WE
IN FACT, WHEN WE STARTED, AS WE STARTED THE COMPANY, I WENT OUT
STARTED THE COMPANY, I WENT OUT AND DID A NUMBER OF PRODUCT
AND DID A NUMBER OF PRODUCT INSTALLATIONS.
INSTALLATIONS. IT WAS VERY TYPICAL TO ARRIVE ON
IT WAS VERY TYPICAL TO ARRIVE ON A SITE TO DO A PRODUCT
A SITE TO DO A PRODUCT INSTALLATION AND THE PEOPLE IN
INSTALLATION AND THE PEOPLE IN THE SHOP WOE SAY "IT WILL BE
THE SHOP WOE SAY "IT WILL BE KNOCKED OFF IN A WEEK AND WON'T
KNOCKED OFF IN A WEEK AND WON'T EVEN LAST A DAY."
EVEN LAST A DAY." WHATEVER THE PHRASE MIGHT BE. I
WHATEVER THE PHRASE MIGHT BE. I GOT PRETTY USED TO HEARING IT.
GOT PRETTY USED TO HEARING IT. THAT DIDN'T STOP US FROM GETTING
THAT DIDN'T STOP US FROM GETTING IT INSTALLED.
IT INSTALLED. AS SOON AS IT WAS INSTALLED AND
AS SOON AS IT WAS INSTALLED AND EVERYBODY SAW IT WORK, "OH, THAT
EVERYBODY SAW IT WORK, "OH, THAT WILL WORK."
WILL WORK." BASICALLY AFTER THE DART TRUCK
BASICALLY AFTER THE DART TRUCK EXPERIENCE, PHIL, MY
EXPERIENCE, PHIL, MY FATHER-IN-LAW HAD, HE WORKED FOR
FATHER-IN-LAW HAD, HE WORKED FOR LATERNO WESTINGHOUSE AS A SALES
LATERNO WESTINGHOUSE AS A SALES MANAGER OF OFF-HIGHWAY TRUCKS
MANAGER OF OFF-HIGHWAY TRUCKS AND MOVED ONTO CATERPILLAR AND
AND MOVED ONTO CATERPILLAR AND WORKED O -- HE WAS A NATIONAL
WORKED O -- HE WAS A NATIONAL ACCOUNT OFF HIGHWAY TRUCK SALES
ACCOUNT OFF HIGHWAY TRUCK SALES IN CATERPILLAR.
IN CATERPILLAR. CATERPILLAR DEPARTMENT GET INTO
CATERPILLAR DEPARTMENT GET INTO THE TRUCKS UNTIL THE EARLY 60'S.
THE TRUCKS UNTIL THE EARLY 60'S. WHEN YOU SAY "TRUCKS" OFF
WHEN YOU SAY "TRUCKS" OFF HIGHWAY TRUCKS.
HIGHWAY TRUCKS. ANYWAY, AT VARIOUS PLACES ALONG
ANYWAY, AT VARIOUS PLACES ALONG THE WAY, HE TRIED TO GET THE
THE WAY, HE TRIED TO GET THE MANUFACTURERS TO THINK ABOUT
MANUFACTURERS TO THINK ABOUT MAKING A TAILGATE.
MAKING A TAILGATE. I WON'T GO INTO THE COMMENT THAT
I WON'T GO INTO THE COMMENT THAT ONE OF THEM SAID.
ONE OF THEM SAID. BUT, ANYWAY, NOBODY WOULD PICK
BUT, ANYWAY, NOBODY WOULD PICK IT UP.
IT UP. NOBODY HAD ANY INTEREST IN IT.
NOBODY HAD ANY INTEREST IN IT. WHEN HE RETIRED, HE WAS THE
WHEN HE RETIRED, HE WAS THE OLDEST -- HE CLAIMED TO BE THE
OLDEST -- HE CLAIMED TO BE THE OLDEST PERSON EVER HIRED BY
OLDEST PERSON EVER HIRED BY CATERPILLAR.
CATERPILLAR. HE CLAIMED TO BE 57 WHEN HE WAS
HE CLAIMED TO BE 57 WHEN HE WAS HIRED.
HIRED. THAT WAS A MEASURE OF HIS SKILL,
THAT WAS A MEASURE OF HIS SKILL, HIS EXPERIENCE, HIS KNOWLEDGE.
HIS EXPERIENCE, HIS KNOWLEDGE. ABOUT HE RETIRED FROM
ABOUT HE RETIRED FROM CATERPILLAR, THAT SAME YEAR,
CATERPILLAR, THAT SAME YEAR, 1969, I GOT OUT OF THE ARMY, TWO
1969, I GOT OUT OF THE ARMY, TWO MONTHS LATER, AND TWO MONTHS
MONTHS LATER, AND TWO MONTHS LATER THE COMPANY WAS STARTED,
LATER THE COMPANY WAS STARTED, AND FINALLY IN MAY OF 1970, WE
AND FINALLY IN MAY OF 1970, WE PUT OUR FURTHER PRODUCT IN AT
PUT OUR FURTHER PRODUCT IN AT THAT TIME PONTIAC STONE OVER IN
THAT TIME PONTIAC STONE OVER IN LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY. AND THAT PONTIAC STONE TODAY IS
AND THAT PONTIAC STONE TODAY IS A VERY, VERY BIG LANDFILL FOR
A VERY, VERY BIG LANDFILL FOR CHICAGO!
CHICAGO! (LAUGHING) BIGGEST MOUNTAIN OVER
(LAUGHING) BIGGEST MOUNTAIN OVER THERE AROUND PONTIAC.
THERE AROUND PONTIAC. THE MODEL YOU HAVE WITH, THAT
THE MODEL YOU HAVE WITH, THAT YOU BROUGHT TODAY, COULD YOU
YOU BROUGHT TODAY, COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW THAT WORKS AND SHOW
DESCRIBE HOW THAT WORKS AND SHOW ME.
ME. HOW DOES THAT RELATE TO THE
HOW DOES THAT RELATE TO THE FIRST IDEA, THE TAILGATE?
FIRST IDEA, THE TAILGATE? IS THIS THE PREDECESSOR?
IS THIS THE PREDECESSOR? >> BASICALLY NO ONE REALLY TOOK
>> BASICALLY NO ONE REALLY TOOK THE TIME TO PUT A LOT OF DESIGN
THE TIME TO PUT A LOT OF DESIGN INTO IT OR A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO
INTO IT OR A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO IT.
IT. WE WILL SORT OF COBLE SOME
WE WILL SORT OF COBLE SOME PIECES TOGETHER AND MAKE
PIECES TOGETHER AND MAKE SOMETHING TO GO ON THE BACK OF
SOMETHING TO GO ON THE BACK OF THIS TRUCK.
THIS TRUCK. THERE WAS THREE OR FOUR
THERE WAS THREE OR FOUR COMPANIES THAT DID DO THAT.
COMPANIES THAT DID DO THAT. THESE WERE COMPANIES WHO WERE
THESE WERE COMPANIES WHO WERE TRUCK USERS.
TRUCK USERS. NO ONE REALLY MADE A TAILGATE
NO ONE REALLY MADE A TAILGATE THAT WAS THE STYLE WE MADE OR
THAT WAS THE STYLE WE MADE OR WHATEVER.
WHATEVER. SO TO COMMERCIALIZE IT IS WHAT
SO TO COMMERCIALIZE IT IS WHAT BASICALLY WE DID, AND AT THAT
BASICALLY WE DID, AND AT THAT TIME AS WE COMMERCIALIZED IT,
TIME AS WE COMMERCIALIZED IT, THERE WERE FEATURES WE PATENTED,
THERE WERE FEATURES WE PATENTED, AND THAT STARTED US OFF AS A --
AND THAT STARTED US OFF AS A -- IN SOME QUARTERS WE WERE KNOWN
IN SOME QUARTERS WE WERE KNOWN AS THE TAILGATE COMPANY.
AS THE TAILGATE COMPANY. >>SHOW ME HOW THAT ONE WORKS.
>>SHOW ME HOW THAT ONE WORKS. THIS IS A MODEL MANUFACTURED.
THIS IS A MODEL MANUFACTURED. >>YES, WELL, THIS IS
>>YES, WELL, THIS IS INTERNATIONAL PAY HAULER, NO
INTERNATIONAL PAY HAULER, NO LONGER MADE.
LONGER MADE. THE COMPANY IS OUT OF BUSINESS.
THE COMPANY IS OUT OF BUSINESS. THEY WERE INTERNATIONAL HARVEST
THEY WERE INTERNATIONAL HARVEST EARTHEN PAY HAULER, AND THEN
EARTHEN PAY HAULER, AND THEN UNIT RIGG BOUGHT THEM, I
UNIT RIGG BOUGHT THEM, I BELIEVE.
BELIEVE. THIS IS A UNIT THAT THE TAILGATE
THIS IS A UNIT THAT THE TAILGATE IS AN AUTOMATIC TAILGATE.
IS AN AUTOMATIC TAILGATE. WHEN THE BODY GOES UP, BASICALLY
WHEN THE BODY GOES UP, BASICALLY THE TAILGATE GOES UP.
THE TAILGATE GOES UP. AS THE TAILGATE GOES UP, WE CAN
AS THE TAILGATE GOES UP, WE CAN SEE WE HAVE VERY LARGE OPENING
SEE WE HAVE VERY LARGE OPENING FOR BIG CHUNKS OF MATERIAL TO
FOR BIG CHUNKS OF MATERIAL TO FLOW THROUGH?
FLOW THROUGH? >> THIS WAS YOUR IDEA.
>> THIS WAS YOUR IDEA. >>THE CONCEPT WAS MY
>>THE CONCEPT WAS MY FATHER-IN-LAW'S IDEA.
FATHER-IN-LAW'S IDEA. HE NEEDED SOMEONE TO
HE NEEDED SOMEONE TO COMMERCIALIZE IT.
COMMERCIALIZE IT. YOUNG, FAT AND SATURDAY I CAME
YOUNG, FAT AND SATURDAY I CAME ALONG, "WELL, WE CAN
ALONG, "WELL, WE CAN COMMERCIALIZE THIS."
COMMERCIALIZE THIS." >>THE PAPERS, TRADE SHOWS,
>>THE PAPERS, TRADE SHOWS, MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, AND
MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, AND THE LAST ISSUE, THE BOOK I HAVE
THE LAST ISSUE, THE BOOK I HAVE SEEN, AS A MATTER OF FACT YOU
SEEN, AS A MATTER OF FACT YOU SHARED WITH ME.
SHARED WITH ME. DAVE RANSBURGER AS WELL AS ROSS
DAVE RANSBURGER AS WELL AS ROSS I, AND RANCEBURGER CORPORATION
I, AND RANCEBURGER CORPORATION INVOLVED.
INVOLVED. AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS AND
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS AND NATIONAL MECHANICS.
NATIONAL MECHANICS. AND YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND IS
AND YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND IS AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER?
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER? >> YES, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH
>> YES, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GROW UP ON A FARM, AND I HAD
TO GROW UP ON A FARM, AND I HAD A FATHER THAT DID NOT HAVE A LOT
A FATHER THAT DID NOT HAVE A LOT OF EDUCATION, BUT HE HAD A LOT
OF EDUCATION, BUT HE HAD A LOT OF COLLEGE OF HARD KNOCKS
OF COLLEGE OF HARD KNOCKS EDUCATION.
EDUCATION. SO I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO
SO I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THINGS THERE THAT WERE FANTASTIC
THINGS THERE THAT WERE FANTASTIC AND TOOK AND WENT INTO -- WANTED
AND TOOK AND WENT INTO -- WANTED TO BE AN ENGINEER, AND WENT INTO
TO BE AN ENGINEER, AND WENT INTO AG ENGINEERING AT THE THE
AG ENGINEERING AT THE THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, AND
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, AND GRADUATED AS AGRICULTURAL
GRADUATED AS AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER.
ENGINEER. AG ENGINEERS ARE CERTAINLY
AG ENGINEERS ARE CERTAINLY UNIQUE.
UNIQUE. CATERPILLAR EMPLOYS A NUMBER.
CATERPILLAR EMPLOYS A NUMBER. IN AG ENGINEERING, YOU GET A
IN AG ENGINEERING, YOU GET A GENERAL ENGINEER.
GENERAL ENGINEER. YOU GET SOIL AND WATER, POWER
YOU GET SOIL AND WATER, POWER AND MACHINERY, STRUCTURES,
AND MACHINERY, STRUCTURES, ELECTRICAL POWER AND PROCESSING.
ELECTRICAL POWER AND PROCESSING. THOSE ARE ALL PART OF THE
THOSE ARE ALL PART OF THE AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING CURRICULUM.
CURRICULUM. YOU GET THE EXPERIENCE TO GO OUT
YOU GET THE EXPERIENCE TO GO OUT AND SURVEY LIKE A CIVIL ENGINEER
AND SURVEY LIKE A CIVIL ENGINEER WOULD.
WOULD. YOU GET TO DO MECHANICAL
YOU GET TO DO MECHANICAL TRANSMISSION STUDIES AND SO
TRANSMISSION STUDIES AND SO FORTH, DRIVE TRANES, AND POWER
FORTH, DRIVE TRANES, AND POWER ENGINEERS.
ENGINEERS. YOU GET AG ENGINEERS.
YOU GET AG ENGINEERS. YOU EXPERIENCE STRUCTURES, AND
YOU EXPERIENCE STRUCTURES, AND HEAT LOADS.
HEAT LOADS. >>IT IS LIKE LIBRATED CATION IN
>>IT IS LIKE LIBRATED CATION IN ENGINEERING?
ENGINEERING? >> PROBABLY THE MOST LIBERAL
>> PROBABLY THE MOST LIBERAL EDUCATION IN ENGINEERING THAT
EDUCATION IN ENGINEERING THAT THERE IS.
THERE IS. >>WHY WOULDN'T EVERYONE WHO
>>WHY WOULDN'T EVERYONE WHO WANTED TO BE AN ENGINEER TAKE
WANTED TO BE AN ENGINEER TAKE THAT CURRICULUM APPROACH AND
THAT CURRICULUM APPROACH AND SPECIALIZE AFTER THEY DETERMINE
SPECIALIZE AFTER THEY DETERMINE WHERE THEY WANTED TO GO?
WHERE THEY WANTED TO GO? >> GOOD QUESTION.
>> GOOD QUESTION. I MEAN WHAT MORE INTERESTING
I MEAN WHAT MORE INTERESTING THINGS AS WE STUDIED ICE CREAM
THINGS AS WE STUDIED ICE CREAM FACILITIES WHERE THE
FACILITIES WHERE THE REFRIGERATION LOADS AND HOW TO
REFRIGERATION LOADS AND HOW TO CALCULATE THOSE LOADS AND SO
CALCULATE THOSE LOADS AND SO FORTH.
FORTH. IT IS SUCH A BROAD, BROAD
IT IS SUCH A BROAD, BROAD EDUCATION.
EDUCATION. UNFORTUNATELY, AS THE STIGMA IN
UNFORTUNATELY, AS THE STIGMA IN FRONT OF IT.
FRONT OF IT. >>IN ILLINOIS, STIGMA!
>>IN ILLINOIS, STIGMA! (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). >>PEOPLE THINK OF THE FARM AND
>>PEOPLE THINK OF THE FARM AND THEY THINK OF THE ANIMALS.
THEY THINK OF THE ANIMALS. THEY THINK ALL THE MUD YOU GET
THEY THINK ALL THE MUD YOU GET INTO, AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS,
INTO, AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS, AND THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT SOME
AND THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS.
OF THE OTHER THINGS. >>I NOTICED GIVEN YOUR PATENT
>>I NOTICED GIVEN YOUR PATENT BACKGROUND, YOU LECTURED ON THE
BACKGROUND, YOU LECTURED ON THE IDEA OF SUBJECTS OF PATENTS.
IDEA OF SUBJECTS OF PATENTS. ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS YOU HAVE
ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS YOU HAVE USED IS ELECTRICAL ENGINEER,
USED IS ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, JOHN CONKLIN.
JOHN CONKLIN. >>CONKLIN.
>>CONKLIN. >>
>> >>AND HE IS DOUBLE E!
>>AND HE IS DOUBLE E! >>YES.
>>YES. >>YOU DISCUSSED ELECTRICAL
>>YOU DISCUSSED ELECTRICAL ATTACHMENTINGS, TALKING TO ONE
ATTACHMENTINGS, TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER.
ANOTHER. IT IS UNUSUAL TO SEE DOUBLE E AS
IT IS UNUSUAL TO SEE DOUBLE E AS PATENT LAWYER INVOLVED IN OFF
PATENT LAWYER INVOLVED IN OFF THE ROAD MINING.
THE ROAD MINING. WHAT IS THE CONNECTION THERE?
WHAT IS THE CONNECTION THERE? >> ED, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS
>> ED, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS A CONNECTION.
A CONNECTION. PATENT LAW IS PATENT LAW.
PATENT LAW IS PATENT LAW. SO ONCE YOU HAVE THAT DOWN, THIS
SO ONCE YOU HAVE THAT DOWN, THIS IS -- IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE
IS -- IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE CLIENTS YOU ARE WORKING WITH AND
CLIENTS YOU ARE WORKING WITH AND HOW WELL THEY CAN WORK WITH YOU.
HOW WELL THEY CAN WORK WITH YOU. AS AG ENGINEER, I HAVE NEVER
AS AG ENGINEER, I HAVE NEVER PRACTICED PURE AGRICULTURAL
PRACTICED PURE AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING.
ENGINEERING. SO THAT BEING THE CASE, JOHN HAS
SO THAT BEING THE CASE, JOHN HAS THE CAPABILITY TO WORK ON THINGS
THE CAPABILITY TO WORK ON THINGS AND WE HAVE DONE SOME ELECTRICAL
AND WE HAVE DONE SOME ELECTRICAL THINGS WITH COMPUTERS AND SO
THINGS WITH COMPUTERS AND SO FORTH.
FORTH. >>AT THIS POINT IN THE WORLD OF
>>AT THIS POINT IN THE WORLD OF ENGINEERING AND EQUIPMENT, THERE
ENGINEERING AND EQUIPMENT, THERE SEEMS TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
SEEMS TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMUNICATE, THAT IS DRIVER
COMMUNICATE, THAT IS DRIVER COMMUNICATES WITH THE RIG, IF
COMMUNICATES WITH THE RIG, IF YOU WILL, WITH THE HOME OFFICE.
YOU WILL, WITH THE HOME OFFICE. IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT TODAY THE
IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT TODAY THE ELECTRONICS PLAY A LARGE ROLE IN
ELECTRONICS PLAY A LARGE ROLE IN EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING AND THE
EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING AND THE USE OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT IS
USE OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT IS MANUFACTURED?
MANUFACTURED? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. I MEAN BASICALLY TODAY, AND I AM
I MEAN BASICALLY TODAY, AND I AM NOT CERTAINLY AN EXPERT IN THIS
NOT CERTAINLY AN EXPERT IN THIS AREA, BUT TODAY THERE ARE A
AREA, BUT TODAY THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPUTERS ON TRUCKS,
NUMBER OF COMPUTERS ON TRUCKS, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ON AT
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ON AT LEAST THE LARGE AUTOMATIC
LEAST THE LARGE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, ARE VERY
TRANSMISSIONS, ARE VERY ELECTRONIC CALLY CONTROLLED.
ELECTRONIC CALLY CONTROLLED. THE ENGINEER IS MONITORED.
THE ENGINEER IS MONITORED. THE PAYLOAD IS MONITORED.
THE PAYLOAD IS MONITORED. THE WHOLE OPERATION IS
THE WHOLE OPERATION IS MONITORED.
MONITORED. YOU TIE GPS INTO THAT.
YOU TIE GPS INTO THAT. THEN YOU START DIRECTING.
THEN YOU START DIRECTING. YOU BASICALLY -- IT IS LIKE --
YOU BASICALLY -- IT IS LIKE -- THIS IS ACRONYM WE CREATED AND
THIS IS ACRONYM WE CREATED AND DIDN'T FOLLOW THROUGH.
DIDN'T FOLLOW THROUGH. COMPUTER INTEGRATED MOBILE
COMPUTER INTEGRATED MOBILE EQUIPMENT OPERATION.
EQUIPMENT OPERATION. CIMEO.
CIMEO. >>THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE TALKING
>>THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, THE INTEGRATION?
ABOUT, THE INTEGRATION? >> THE INTEGRATION.
>> THE INTEGRATION. >>LEROY, I MUST TELL YOU I AM
>>LEROY, I MUST TELL YOU I AM FASCINATED WITH THIS
FASCINATED WITH THIS AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING BACKGROUND, BY ANALOGY TO THAT
BACKGROUND, BY ANALOGY TO THAT OF A GENERAL PRACTITIONER,
OF A GENERAL PRACTITIONER, DOCTOR, THAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY
DOCTOR, THAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY WITH THAT BACKGROUND IS TO BE
WITH THAT BACKGROUND IS TO BE ABLE TO LEARN, AND BE ABLE TO
ABLE TO LEARN, AND BE ABLE TO THINK CREATIVELY.
THINK CREATIVELY. YOU ARE NOT MONOLITHIC.
YOU ARE NOT MONOLITHIC. YOU ARE NOT ELECTRICAL ENGINEER.
YOU ARE NOT ELECTRICAL ENGINEER. YOU ARE NOT A CIVIL ENGINEER,
YOU ARE NOT A CIVIL ENGINEER, BUT YOU HAVE A LITTLE TASTE OF
BUT YOU HAVE A LITTLE TASTE OF THOSE IN THE CAFETERIA OF
THOSE IN THE CAFETERIA OF ENGINEERING.
ENGINEERING. THAT THEN PERMITS YOU TO THINK
THAT THEN PERMITS YOU TO THINK AND BE CREATIVE.
AND BE CREATIVE. CHALLENGE ME ON THAT.
CHALLENGE ME ON THAT. >>WELL, YES, AND NO.
>>WELL, YES, AND NO. THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE CREATIVE,
THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE CREATIVE, ANYONE CAN BE CREATIVE.
ANYONE CAN BE CREATIVE. >>BUT ENGINEERS, LET ME DEN HE
>>BUT ENGINEERS, LET ME DEN HE GREAT ENGINEERS FOR A MINUTE.
GREAT ENGINEERS FOR A MINUTE. MANY ENGINEERS TEND TO LOOK FOR
MANY ENGINEERS TEND TO LOOK FOR THE SOLUTION OF A PROBLEM RATHER
THE SOLUTION OF A PROBLEM RATHER THAN ASK IS THIS A PROBLEM.
THAN ASK IS THIS A PROBLEM. IS THAT FAIR?
IS THAT FAIR? >> WELL, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR MANY
>> WELL, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR MANY ENGINEERS.
ENGINEERS. I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T WANT TO TRY
I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T WANT TO TRY TO.
TO. BUT EVEN GROWING UP AS A
BUT EVEN GROWING UP AS A TEEN-AGER, I WAS COMING UP WITH
TEEN-AGER, I WAS COMING UP WITH IDEAS, WHATEVER THEY MIGHT BE.
IDEAS, WHATEVER THEY MIGHT BE. IT WAS -- WE ENDED UP -- I ENDED
IT WAS -- WE ENDED UP -- I ENDED UP BEING INSTILLED WITH ATTITUDE
UP BEING INSTILLED WITH ATTITUDE OF, HEY, IT REALLY ISN'T
OF, HEY, IT REALLY ISN'T IMPOSSIBLE.
IMPOSSIBLE. WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO, JUST DO
WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO, JUST DO IT.
IT. >>I UNDERSTAND THAT. MY
>>I UNDERSTAND THAT. MY CHALLENGE, SOMEONE WITH DOUBLE E
CHALLENGE, SOMEONE WITH DOUBLE E DEGREE, OR CIVIL ENGINEERING
DEGREE, OR CIVIL ENGINEERING DEGREE OR WHATEVER HAS THE IDEA,
DEGREE OR WHATEVER HAS THE IDEA, "I WANT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM
"I WANT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM THAT IS PRESENTED TO ME."
THAT IS PRESENTED TO ME." BUT IT SEEMS TO ME YOUR FOCUS IS
BUT IT SEEMS TO ME YOUR FOCUS IS "WHAT IS THIS PROBLEM?"
"WHAT IS THIS PROBLEM?" AM I OFF TARGET THERE?
AM I OFF TARGET THERE? >> A LITTLE BIT, ED.
>> A LITTLE BIT, ED. THERE IS A TYPE OF PERSON, AND
THERE IS A TYPE OF PERSON, AND WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOME IN
WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOME IN OUR COMPANY.
OUR COMPANY. THEY CAN BE CATEGORIZED AS BIG
THEY CAN BE CATEGORIZED AS BIG PICTURE THINKERS.
PICTURE THINKERS. IF YOU CAN FIND A BIG PICTURE
IF YOU CAN FIND A BIG PICTURE THINKER, OKAY, THEY ARE NOT JUST
THINKER, OKAY, THEY ARE NOT JUST LOOKING AT WHY THE TIRE FAILED.
LOOKING AT WHY THE TIRE FAILED. THEY ARE LOOKING AT, OKAY, LET'S
THEY ARE LOOKING AT, OKAY, LET'S SOLVE ANY FUTURE TIRE FAILURES
SOLVE ANY FUTURE TIRE FAILURES THAT THERE MAYBE.
THAT THERE MAYBE. THE BIG THINKER, AND THERE IS A
THE BIG THINKER, AND THERE IS A BOOK "HOW SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE
BOOK "HOW SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE THINK" PROBABLY MANY BOOKS BY
THINK" PROBABLY MANY BOOKS BY THAT TITLE.
THAT TITLE. THERE IS ONE, I HAPPEN TO BE
THERE IS ONE, I HAPPEN TO BE ACTUALLY IN A CONVENIENT MART
ACTUALLY IN A CONVENIENT MART GAS STATION OR WHATEVER, AND IT
GAS STATION OR WHATEVER, AND IT IS "CHOICE BOOKS" OUT OF
IS "CHOICE BOOKS" OUT OF METAMORA.
METAMORA. THEY HAD A RACK IN THIS
THEY HAD A RACK IN THIS LOCATION, I PICKED THIS UP, "HOW
LOCATION, I PICKED THIS UP, "HOW SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE THINK."
SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE THINK." I OPENED IT UP AND IT SAID "BIG
I OPENED IT UP AND IT SAID "BIG THINKER."
THINKER." THAT'S A TRAIT I HAD FROM BEING
THAT'S A TRAIT I HAD FROM BEING A TEEN-AGER, TO BE A BIG
A TEEN-AGER, TO BE A BIG THINKER.
THINKER. >>IS THAT DIFFICULT, THOUGH, TO
>>IS THAT DIFFICULT, THOUGH, TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT
DEAL WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT BIG THINKERS.
BIG THINKERS. >>THE MOST DIFFICULT THING IS TO
>>THE MOST DIFFICULT THING IS TO DEAL WITH ANOTHER BIG THINKER!
DEAL WITH ANOTHER BIG THINKER! >>THAT GUY OR GAL IS A PROBLEM!
>>THAT GUY OR GAL IS A PROBLEM! >>BUT YOU APPRECIATE THE FACT
>>BUT YOU APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE THEY ARE A BIG
THAT THERE ARE THEY ARE A BIG THINKER.
THINKER. ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND BIG THINKER,
ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND BIG THINKER, OKAY, BIG THINKER, BASICALLY
OKAY, BIG THINKER, BASICALLY THEY WANT TO KNOW THE WHOLE
THEY WANT TO KNOW THE WHOLE PICTURE, AND THEY WANT TO SEE
PICTURE, AND THEY WANT TO SEE THE WHOLE THING, AND HOW THEY
THE WHOLE THING, AND HOW THEY CAN INTEGRATE INTO THAT AS
CAN INTEGRATE INTO THAT AS OPPOSED "WELL, THIS IS A
OPPOSED "WELL, THIS IS A PROBLEM, WE NEED TO SOLVE THIS.
PROBLEM, WE NEED TO SOLVE THIS. I WILL SOLVE THIS, AND SOLVE
I WILL SOLVE THIS, AND SOLVE THIS," AND SO FORTH.
THIS," AND SO FORTH. >>IN THE COMPUTATION TOSS GET
>>IN THE COMPUTATION TOSS GET THERE, WHAT IS THE TAPESTRY.
THERE, WHAT IS THE TAPESTRY. WHAT IS THE HOUSE GOING TO LOOK
WHAT IS THE HOUSE GOING TO LOOK LIKE.
LIKE. >>MY PARENTS, BEING ON A FARM
>>MY PARENTS, BEING ON A FARM AND SO FORTH, WE PUT UP SEVERAL
AND SO FORTH, WE PUT UP SEVERAL LIVESTOCK BUILDINGS.
LIVESTOCK BUILDINGS. EXAMPLE OF BIG THINKER FORECAST
EXAMPLE OF BIG THINKER FORECAST WE PUT THIS BUILDING UP HERE, IF
WE PUT THIS BUILDING UP HERE, IF WE WANT TO EXPAND IT, WILL WE
WE WANT TO EXPAND IT, WILL WE HAVE ROOM TO EXPAND IT?
HAVE ROOM TO EXPAND IT? >> THAT'S THE BIG THINKER.
>> THAT'S THE BIG THINKER. >>THAT'S THE BIG THINKER.
>>THAT'S THE BIG THINKER. WORRY ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE
WORRY ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE LATER.
LATER. THE BIG THINKER IS THINKING
THE BIG THINKER IS THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX, AND THE BIG
OUTSIDE THE BOX, AND THE BIG THINKER IS REALLY LOOKING AT HOW
THINKER IS REALLY LOOKING AT HOW EVERYTHING INTERFACES.
EVERYTHING INTERFACES. >>THINKING ABOUT LEROY AND THE
>>THINKING ABOUT LEROY AND THE BUSINESS LEROY ACTUALLY IS
BUSINESS LEROY ACTUALLY IS INVOLVED IN.
INVOLVED IN. I THINK YOU ARE INVOLVED IN THE
I THINK YOU ARE INVOLVED IN THE BUSINESS OF PREDICTING AND
BUSINESS OF PREDICTING AND PATENTING THE FUTURE.
PATENTING THE FUTURE. IS THAT FAIR?
IS THAT FAIR? >> IN SOME CASES, YES.
>> IN SOME CASES, YES. >>AS RELATES TO YOUR AREA.
>>AS RELATES TO YOUR AREA. I DON'T MEAN --
I DON'T MEAN -- >>NO, IN SOME CASES IT IS
>>NO, IN SOME CASES IT IS DEFINITELY TRUE.
DEFINITELY TRUE. IN OTHER CASES, HAVING A
IN OTHER CASES, HAVING A CUSTOMER SAY, IT REALLY WOULD BE
CUSTOMER SAY, IT REALLY WOULD BE NICE IF WE COULD DO SUCH AND
NICE IF WE COULD DO SUCH AND SUCH.
SUCH. AS A PERSON WHO BASICALLY MULLS
AS A PERSON WHO BASICALLY MULLS THINGS OVER AND INVENTS,
THINGS OVER AND INVENTS, SOMETIMES BIGGER PROBLEM JUST
SOMETIMES BIGGER PROBLEM JUST FINDING THE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS
FINDING THE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE SOLVED.
TO BE SOLVED. >> BUT ONCE YOU ARE ON SITE, YOU
>> BUT ONCE YOU ARE ON SITE, YOU MAYBE ABLE TO SEE IT.
MAYBE ABLE TO SEE IT. >>ON SITE, WHOEVER IT MIGHT BE,
>>ON SITE, WHOEVER IT MIGHT BE, YES.
YES. SOME OF IT WE ARE PREDICTING
SOME OF IT WE ARE PREDICTING WHAT WILL HAPPEN AND CREATING
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AND CREATING IT.
IT. SOME OF IT, YOU KNOW, IF WE ALL
SOME OF IT, YOU KNOW, IF WE ALL HAVE IN OUR LIVES SOMETHING THAT
HAVE IN OUR LIVES SOMETHING THAT MAYBE -- YEAH, IF WE JUST FIX
MAYBE -- YEAH, IF WE JUST FIX IT, IT WOULDN'T BE THAT QUITE OF
IT, IT WOULDN'T BE THAT QUITE OF A HASSLE, BUT IT ISN'T BE WORTH
A HASSLE, BUT IT ISN'T BE WORTH FIXING.
FIXING. WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE, I DON'T
WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MIGHT BE, LIGHT
KNOW WHAT IT MIGHT BE, LIGHT SWITCH THAT DOESN'T QUITE WORK
SWITCH THAT DOESN'T QUITE WORK RIGHT, WHATEVER.
RIGHT, WHATEVER. SO OFTENTIMES PEOPLE DON'T SEE
SO OFTENTIMES PEOPLE DON'T SEE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY
THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SO USED TO DOING THINGS THE
ARE SO USED TO DOING THINGS THE WAY THEY ARE.
WAY THEY ARE. >>WELL, CHANGE.
>>WELL, CHANGE. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOUR WORLD
SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOUR WORLD CHANGE IS CONSTANT VERSUS THE
CHANGE IS CONSTANT VERSUS THE WORLD OF MOST OTHERS THAT YOU
WORLD OF MOST OTHERS THAT YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH IS
COME IN CONTACT WITH IS CHANGE -- SOMETHING DON'T WANT
CHANGE -- SOMETHING DON'T WANT TO DO.
TO DO. WE CAN'T TOLERATE CHANGE, YOU
WE CAN'T TOLERATE CHANGE, YOU HAVE TO GO HOME AND DO
HAVE TO GO HOME AND DO EVERYTHING THE SAME WAY.
EVERYTHING THE SAME WAY. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. >>SO I AM THINKING OF YOUR
>>SO I AM THINKING OF YOUR EMPLOYEES, ABOUT 35.
EMPLOYEES, ABOUT 35. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. SEVERAL, I RECALL, ARE SITTING
SEVERAL, I RECALL, ARE SITTING IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER
IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER MANIPULATING THIS COMPUTER AND
MANIPULATING THIS COMPUTER AND SOME OF THOSE FOLKS ARE NOT
SOME OF THOSE FOLKS ARE NOT GRADUATE ENGINEERS.
GRADUATE ENGINEERS. >>NO.
>>NO. NO.
NO. >>AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY ARE
>>AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY ARE SIMPLY FASCINATED WITH NUMBERS
SIMPLY FASCINATED WITH NUMBERS AND THE SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS N
AND THE SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS N FACT, ONE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES IS
FACT, ONE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES IS AN ARCHITECT.
AN ARCHITECT. >>O HAS MASTERS IN ARCHITECTURE.
>>O HAS MASTERS IN ARCHITECTURE. >>YOU HAVE SEVERAL YOUNG LADIES,
>>YOU HAVE SEVERAL YOUNG LADIES, HIGH SCHOOL GRADS PERHAPS?
HIGH SCHOOL GRADS PERHAPS? >> HIGH SCHOOL, AND SOME ON
>> HIGH SCHOOL, AND SOME ON GOING, FURTHER EDUCATION, BUT,
GOING, FURTHER EDUCATION, BUT, YES.
YES. >>THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEE
>>THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEE THINGS HOW THEY WORK.
THINGS HOW THEY WORK. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. >>AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS
>>AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS GIFTED.
GIFTED. IT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN GO
IT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN GO AND PICK UP THAT CHARACTERISTIC.
AND PICK UP THAT CHARACTERISTIC. >>MANY PEOPLE GET IN
>>MANY PEOPLE GET IN ENGINEERING, WELL, YOU CAN MAKE
ENGINEERING, WELL, YOU CAN MAKE A LOT OF MONEY THERE.
A LOT OF MONEY THERE. WELL, OKAY, THAT'S OKAY, BUT
WELL, OKAY, THAT'S OKAY, BUT THERE IS OTHER THINGS CAN YOU DO
THERE IS OTHER THINGS CAN YOU DO IN LIFE TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.
IN LIFE TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY. DO YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THOSE,
DO YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THOSE, THOUGH?
THOUGH? >> WHAT WILL YOU TAKE WITH YOU,
>> WHAT WILL YOU TAKE WITH YOU, CHARLIE, AS WE ARE LOOKING AT
CHARLIE, AS WE ARE LOOKING AT THE GRAVE SITE, WHAT WILL BOB
THE GRAVE SITE, WHAT WILL BOB TAKE, BOB LEAVE EVERYTHING!
TAKE, BOB LEAVE EVERYTHING! ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH ISN'T
ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH ISN'T NECESSARILY AN OBJECTIVE FOR
NECESSARILY AN OBJECTIVE FOR CREATIVE THINKERS.
CREATIVE THINKERS. I WANT TO READ A QUOTE FROM THE
I WANT TO READ A QUOTE FROM THE PAT, WISDOM IS NOT AT THE TOP OF
PAT, WISDOM IS NOT AT THE TOP OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL MOUNTAIN,
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL MOUNTAIN, BUT IN THE SANDBOX AT THE
BUT IN THE SANDBOX AT THE NURSERY SCHOOL.
NURSERY SCHOOL. DO YOU RECALL HER SAYING THAT?
DO YOU RECALL HER SAYING THAT? >> NO, I DON'T.
>> NO, I DON'T. >> SHE WAS QUOTED AS HAVING SAID
>> SHE WAS QUOTED AS HAVING SAID THAT.
THAT. >>RIGHT, YES.
>>RIGHT, YES. >>WHICH SEEMS TO DEMONSTRATE
>>WHICH SEEMS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT WHICH IS BECOME APPARENT IN
THAT WHICH IS BECOME APPARENT IN THIS DISCUSSION.
THIS DISCUSSION. IT ISN'T THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
IT ISN'T THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE THAT DICTATES WHERE YOU WILL BE
THAT DICTATES WHERE YOU WILL BE OR WHAT YOUR MIND IS ABOUT.
OR WHAT YOUR MIND IS ABOUT. IT IS WHAT DO YOU DO WITH WHAT
IT IS WHAT DO YOU DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE.
YOU HAVE. >>CORRECT.
>>CORRECT. >>AND THAT SEEMS TO BE YOUR
>>AND THAT SEEMS TO BE YOUR THEORY.
THEORY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT A NEW DESIGN OR
WHEN YOU LOOK AT A NEW DESIGN OR POTENTIAL, WHAT IS YOUR FIRST
POTENTIAL, WHAT IS YOUR FIRST THOUGHT, OTHER THAN SAFETY?
THOUGHT, OTHER THAN SAFETY? I KNOW THAT THE CHARGE; I WANT
I KNOW THAT THE CHARGE; I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS GOING TO BE
TO MAKE SURE THIS IS GOING TO BE A SAFE APPLICATION OR A SAFE
A SAFE APPLICATION OR A SAFE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.
PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. WHAT IS THE SECOND THING THAT
WHAT IS THE SECOND THING THAT COMES TO YOUR MIND?
COMES TO YOUR MIND? >> WELL, THE SECOND THING THAT
>> WELL, THE SECOND THING THAT OFTEN COMES TO MY MIND IS OKAY
OFTEN COMES TO MY MIND IS OKAY WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO MAKE
WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO MAKE THIS?
THIS? >> WHAT'S IS GOING TO COST?
>> WHAT'S IS GOING TO COST? >> NO, WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE
>> NO, WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE TO MAKE IT.
TO MAKE IT. >>WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT.
>>WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT. >>HAVING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT TO
>>HAVING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT TO MAKE IT.
MAKE IT. THERE IS VARIOUS -- SOME THINGS
THERE IS VARIOUS -- SOME THINGS ARE HIGHLY MACHINED.
ARE HIGHLY MACHINED. SOME THINGS ARE ROLLED INSTEAD
SOME THINGS ARE ROLLED INSTEAD OF BENT.
OF BENT. SOME THINGS ARE STAMPED.
SOME THINGS ARE STAMPED. UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE OF THE
UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE OF THE BACKGROUND BACK TO HAVING
BACKGROUND BACK TO HAVING STARTED WELDING BEFORE I WAS
STARTED WELDING BEFORE I WAS EVEN A TEEN-AGER.
EVEN A TEEN-AGER. I HAD SOME FAILURES, AND THAT'S
I HAD SOME FAILURES, AND THAT'S GREAT.
GREAT. BECAUSE YOU LEARN FROM THOSE
BECAUSE YOU LEARN FROM THOSE FAILURES.
FAILURES. >> HAVING FAILURES, AND THAT'S
>> HAVING FAILURES, AND THAT'S GREAT?
GREAT? >> RIGHT.
>> RIGHT. >>SMALL FAILURES, BIG FAIL
>>SMALL FAILURES, BIG FAIL FAILURES?
FAILURES? >> WELL, SOME OF EACH!
>> WELL, SOME OF EACH! (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). >>WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FAILURE?
>>WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FAILURE? >> MY BIGGEST FAILURE, OH, WE
>> MY BIGGEST FAILURE, OH, WE ONE SUMMER WE WERE MAKING TILE,
ONE SUMMER WE WERE MAKING TILE, THIS IS DRAINAGE TILE.
THIS IS DRAINAGE TILE. THESE ARE LARGE DRAINAGE TILE.
THESE ARE LARGE DRAINAGE TILE. I TALKED MY FATHER INTO LETTING
I TALKED MY FATHER INTO LETTING ME BUILD A BACKHOE, AND A PIVOT
ME BUILD A BACKHOE, AND A PIVOT FAILED ON THE BACKHOE, I EASILY
FAILED ON THE BACKHOE, I EASILY CORRECTED IT, THAT WAS AN
CORRECTED IT, THAT WAS AN INTERESTING FAILURE.
INTERESTING FAILURE. >>YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESS?
>>YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESS? >> OH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE
>> OH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BIGGEST SUCCESS WOULD BE.
BIGGEST SUCCESS WOULD BE. >>MOST MEMORABLE, MOST IMPORTANT
>>MOST MEMORABLE, MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU, BEE ASIDE FROM YOUR
TO YOU, BEE ASIDE FROM YOUR FAMILY.
FAMILY. >>I MEAN, ED, WE REGULARLY DO
>>I MEAN, ED, WE REGULARLY DO THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE NEVER
THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE, AND SO EACH
BEEN DONE BEFORE, AND SO EACH AND EVERY ONE IS A SUCCESS, IS A
AND EVERY ONE IS A SUCCESS, IS A POSITIVE SUCCESS.
POSITIVE SUCCESS. I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE ANY
I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE ANY CROWNING SUCCESSES.
CROWNING SUCCESSES. YOU JUST LOOK AT ALL THE AREAS
YOU JUST LOOK AT ALL THE AREAS WE HAVE WORKED IN AND WE
WE HAVE WORKED IN AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK IN.
CONTINUE TO WORK IN. >>I WILL RELATE TO YOU A SUCCESS
>>I WILL RELATE TO YOU A SUCCESS STORY.
STORY. THANKSGIVING, CASPER, WYOMING.
THANKSGIVING, CASPER, WYOMING. TELL ME THAT STORY.
TELL ME THAT STORY. >>WELL, WE HAD DELIVERED A TRUCK
>>WELL, WE HAD DELIVERED A TRUCK BODY TO A MINE OUT IN -- OUTSIDE
BODY TO A MINE OUT IN -- OUTSIDE OF CASPER, WI ONLYING.
OF CASPER, WI ONLYING. >>THE BASIC BODY'S -- WELL,
>>THE BASIC BODY'S -- WELL, OKAY, WHEN YOU GO TO DESIGN
OKAY, WHEN YOU GO TO DESIGN SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO THINK
SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE BOAT AND GETTING IT
ABOUT THE BOAT AND GETTING IT OUT OF THE BASEMENT.
OUT OF THE BASEMENT. SO HERE THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS, WE
SO HERE THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS, WE CAN SHIP 16-FOOT WIDE AND YOU
CAN SHIP 16-FOOT WIDE AND YOU CAN SHIP WIDER THAN THAT, BUT IT
CAN SHIP WIDER THAN THAT, BUT IT IS QUITE A HASSLE.
IS QUITE A HASSLE. BULK OF WHAT WE PRODUCE IS
BULK OF WHAT WE PRODUCE IS LARGE, IT GOES OUT OF HERE IN
LARGE, IT GOES OUT OF HERE IN PIECES, SOMETIMES TWO
PIECES, SOMETIMES TWO TRUCKLOADS, OR THREE TRUCKLOADS.
TRUCKLOADS, OR THREE TRUCKLOADS. >>PRICE TO WHAT?
>>PRICE TO WHAT? >> FROM $10,000 UP TO HALF
>> FROM $10,000 UP TO HALF MILLION DOLLARS.
MILLION DOLLARS. >>OKAY, GO BACK.
>>OKAY, GO BACK. >>ANYWAY, THIS IS A TRUCK BODY
>>ANYWAY, THIS IS A TRUCK BODY THAT WAS SHIPPED DISASSEMBLED IN
THAT WAS SHIPPED DISASSEMBLED IN COMPONENTS TO A MINE IN GLENN
COMPONENTS TO A MINE IN GLENN ROCK, WYOMING.
ROCK, WYOMING. AND WE NEEDED TO GET THIS PUT
AND WE NEEDED TO GET THIS PUT TOGETHER FOR THIS CUSTOMER.
TOGETHER FOR THIS CUSTOMER. THERE WAS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH ME
THERE WAS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH ME OUT THERE WORKING ON IT.
OUT THERE WORKING ON IT. I WAS OUT THERE.
I WAS OUT THERE. AND BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED WAS,
AND BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED WAS, IT WAS THANKSGIVING WEEK.
IT WAS THANKSGIVING WEEK. I SENT THE INDIVIDUAL HOME.
I SENT THE INDIVIDUAL HOME. I STAYED THERE.
I STAYED THERE. AND THERE I WAS I DON'T THINK WE
AND THERE I WAS I DON'T THINK WE WORKED ON THANKSGIVING DAY, BUT
WORKED ON THANKSGIVING DAY, BUT THERE I WAS FRIDAY MORNING
THERE I WAS FRIDAY MORNING OUTWORKING ON THE BODY, WELDING.
OUTWORKING ON THE BODY, WELDING. THE MINE SUPERINTENDENT CAME
THE MINE SUPERINTENDENT CAME AROUND THE CORNER AND SAID "WHAT
AROUND THE CORNER AND SAID "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
ARE YOU DOING HERE?" I SAID "WELL, THIS NEEDS TO BE
I SAID "WELL, THIS NEEDS TO BE PUT TOGETHER, WE NEED TO PUT IT
PUT TOGETHER, WE NEED TO PUT IT TOGETHER."
TOGETHER." >>YOU HAD THANKSGIVING AT THE
>>YOU HAD THANKSGIVING AT THE RAMADA INN?
RAMADA INN? >> AT THE RAMADA INN.
>> AT THE RAMADA INN. >>AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THAT
>>AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THAT EFFORT, WHAT OCCURRED?
EFFORT, WHAT OCCURRED? >> THIS INDIVIDUAL WENT ONTO
>> THIS INDIVIDUAL WENT ONTO OTHER THINGS, OTHER OPERATIONS,
OTHER THINGS, OTHER OPERATIONS, AND HE ENDED UP AS A MINE
AND HE ENDED UP AS A MINE MANAGER DOWN AT A MINE IN SOUTH
MANAGER DOWN AT A MINE IN SOUTH AMERICA.
AMERICA. BASED ON HIS EXPERIENCE WITH
BASED ON HIS EXPERIENCE WITH THERE OUT IN WYOMING, THEY HAD A
THERE OUT IN WYOMING, THEY HAD A SITUATION WHERE THEY NEEDED --
SITUATION WHERE THEY NEEDED -- THEY NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING
THEY NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WAS GOING TO
DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN OTHERWISE, CONTACTED US,
HAPPEN OTHERWISE, CONTACTED US, AND WE CONSEQUENTLY SOLD
AND WE CONSEQUENTLY SOLD EQUIPMENT INTO COLUMBIA, SOUTH
EQUIPMENT INTO COLUMBIA, SOUTH AMERICA.
AMERICA. >>FAIRLY LARGE ORDER.
>>FAIRLY LARGE ORDER. >>FAIRLY GOOD SIZED ORDERS, YES.
>>FAIRLY GOOD SIZED ORDERS, YES. OVER A OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS,
OVER A OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, WE PUT OUR PRODUCT IN THERE,
WE PUT OUR PRODUCT IN THERE, YES.
YES. >>WAS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT WAS A
>>WAS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT WAS A SUCCESS YOU NEVER CHARACTERIZED
SUCCESS YOU NEVER CHARACTERIZED AS A SUCCESS?
AS A SUCCESS? >> IT WAS JUST A WAY OF DOING
>> IT WAS JUST A WAY OF DOING BUSINESS.
BUSINESS. >>THAT'S THE WAY YOU ARE.
>>THAT'S THE WAY YOU ARE. >>YES.
>>YES. >>THAT WAS A NORMAL THING TO DO.
>>THAT WAS A NORMAL THING TO DO. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. >>YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANY SALES
>>YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANY SALES TRAINING, YOU DON'T HAVE
TRAINING, YOU DON'T HAVE MASTER'S IN BUSINESS
MASTER'S IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, BUT THAT WAS THE
ADMINISTRATION, BUT THAT WAS THE WAY TO DO THINGS.
WAY TO DO THINGS. >>YOU NEED TO DO WHAT NEEDS TO
>>YOU NEED TO DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
BE DONE. THAT'S WHERE SUCCESS COMES.
THAT'S WHERE SUCCESS COMES. IT IS A WORK ETHIC AND DOING --
IT IS A WORK ETHIC AND DOING -- JUST GETTING THE JOB DONE.
JUST GETTING THE JOB DONE. >>CAN YOU DESCRIBE FOR ME YOUR
>>CAN YOU DESCRIBE FOR ME YOUR MANAGEMENT STYLE.
MANAGEMENT STYLE. IF THERE IS
IF THERE IS ONE.
ONE. >>I DON'T KNOW THERE REALLY IS
>>I DON'T KNOW THERE REALLY IS ONE.
ONE. I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD ZOOK
I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD ZOOK SUGGEST PEOPLE COPY IT, FRANKLY.
SUGGEST PEOPLE COPY IT, FRANKLY. >> UNLESS THEY WERE BIG
>> UNLESS THEY WERE BIG THINKERS.
THINKERS. >>THEY MIGHT BE BIG THINKERS.
>>THEY MIGHT BE BIG THINKERS. ~L IT GOES BACK TO HAVING A
~L IT GOES BACK TO HAVING A RELAXED WORK ENVIRONMENT THE.
RELAXED WORK ENVIRONMENT THE. UNFORTUNATELY, IN OUR COMPANY,
UNFORTUNATELY, IN OUR COMPANY, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE SOMEWHAT ON EDGE.
THAT ARE SOMEWHAT ON EDGE. BUT YOU CAN'T DO A GOOD JOB IF
BUT YOU CAN'T DO A GOOD JOB IF YOU HAVE TO BE LOOKING OVER YOUR
YOU HAVE TO BE LOOKING OVER YOUR SHOULDER ALL THE TIME.
SHOULDER ALL THE TIME. SO THE MANAGEMENT STYLE IS ONE
SO THE MANAGEMENT STYLE IS ONE TO DEVELOP PEOPLE.
TO DEVELOP PEOPLE. YOU HAVE MENTIONED THE PEOPLE
YOU HAVE MENTIONED THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING PROBABLY DESIGN
WHO ARE DOING PROBABLY DESIGN RIGHT NOW, THEY CAME IN WITHOUT
RIGHT NOW, THEY CAME IN WITHOUT ANY REAL SKILLS IN THIS AREA.
ANY REAL SKILLS IN THIS AREA. BUT TO SEE THEM DEVELOP IS A
BUT TO SEE THEM DEVELOP IS A REAL -- IT GIVES YOU A REAL
REAL -- IT GIVES YOU A REAL SENSE OF SATISFACTION, TO
SENSE OF SATISFACTION, TO CHALLENGE PEOPLE TO DO
CHALLENGE PEOPLE TO DO SOMETHING, AND THEN GUIDE THEM
SOMETHING, AND THEN GUIDE THEM THROUGH THAT AND HAVE THEM
THROUGH THAT AND HAVE THEM ACCOMPLISH IT, GIVES YOU A REAL
ACCOMPLISH IT, GIVES YOU A REAL SENSE OF SATISFACTION.
SENSE OF SATISFACTION. THAT IS REALLY A MAJOR ISSUE IN
THAT IS REALLY A MAJOR ISSUE IN TERMS OF BEING COMFORTABLE AND
TERMS OF BEING COMFORTABLE AND BEING RELAXED AND HAVING FUN.
BEING RELAXED AND HAVING FUN. >>LEROY, THIS HAS BEEN MY
>>LEROY, THIS HAS BEEN MY PRIVILEGE.
PRIVILEGE. >>WELL, (LAUGHING) IT HAS BEEN
>>WELL, (LAUGHING) IT HAS BEEN AN ENJOYABLE TIME FOR ME AT
AN ENJOYABLE TIME FOR ME AT LEAST.
LEAST. >>CERTAINLY FOR ME.
>>CERTAINLY FOR ME. I HAVE LEARNED MORE ABOUT YOU,
I HAVE LEARNED MORE ABOUT YOU, BUT ABOUT THE THOUGHT PROCESSES
BUT ABOUT THE THOUGHT PROCESSES AND THE BIG THINKER ISSUE IS A
AND THE BIG THINKER ISSUE IS A HUGE -- FOLKS THAT ARE BIG
HUGE -- FOLKS THAT ARE BIG THINKERS CHANGE THE DESTINY OF A
THINKERS CHANGE THE DESTINY OF A LOT OF THINGS, PERHAPS FOR A
LOT OF THINGS, PERHAPS FOR A BENEFIT NOT REALLY APPARENT TO
BENEFIT NOT REALLY APPARENT TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT BIG THINKERS.
THOSE WHO ARE NOT BIG THINKERS. FOR THAT, I THINK WE ARE ALL
FOR THAT, I THINK WE ARE ALL GRATEFUL FOR THE LEROY'S OF THE
GRATEFUL FOR THE LEROY'S OF THE WORLD.
WORLD. >>WELL, THANK YOU, ED.
>>WELL, THANK YOU, ED. >>