I found this amusing: An example of freedom at Bell, one where it backfired, occurred with a Swedish linguist we wanted to hire in the mid-60s. His future depa

I found this amusing: An example of freedom at Bell, one where it backfired, occurred with a Swedish linguist we wanted to hire in the mid-60s. His future department head, Peter Denes, who was to take him out for dinner, asked me what he should answer if the candidate enquired about "freedom" at the Labs. I told Denes to reassure the candidate that he had total freedom - he could do whatever he wanted to do. The next thing we knew his office and the corridor nearby were adorned with posters of Mao Zedong, Ho Chi Minh and Che Guevara - just to test what we meant when we guaranteed him complete freedom. As you might imagine - this was the height of the Vietnam War - there was quite a commotion. People came to see me saying they couldn't continue with their classified, secret work. I had to reassure them that posters couldn't actually see. Then plant security got wind of the situation. They called me and I told them I would take charge, everything was "under control" - which of course it wasn't. But at least I got the security people off my back. Then I called my boss, John Pierce, and explained the whole thing to him. When I was through, he asked me what I was going to do and I said "Nothing, John". He replied with a single word: "Right". Of course, in less than 48 hours the whole thing had blown by.