I did enjoy the article. I forwarded it to some colleagues. I wasn't aware of Ford's rule. But I will say that the rule perhaps only applied in that place and t

I did enjoy the article. I forwarded it to some colleagues. I wasn't aware of Ford's rule. But I will say that the rule perhaps only applied in that place and time. I've worked in the nuclear industry, in defense, in aerospace. Not documenting failures in those industries would be a recipe for disaster. Technology is way too complicated today. The man who "either did not know or paid no attention to the previous figures" isn't very likely to help in advanced engineering disciplines. In basic research, I think this man or woman can still make an important contribution.