Origin of Quality

Is anyone aware of from where this Quality word originates? Or from where Quality started? To know this, we have to dig out some history.

The Second World War, (1939 – 1945) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all of the great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. The war involved the mobilization of over 100 million military personnel, making it the most widespread war in history, and placed the participants in a state of "total war", erasing the distinction between civil and military resources. This resulted in the complete activation of a nation's economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities for the purposes of the war effort. Over 70 million people, the majority of them civilians, were killed, making it the deadliest conflict in human history. The financial cost of the war is estimated at about a trillion 1944 U.S. dollars worldwide, making it the most expensive war as well.

The biggest challenge in this war was to supply the food, war material and other essential stuffs to the roaming military personnel. That was the time when everyone needs a carrier which can be used for this purpose with a minimum cost and great efficiency. The first ever quality product was invented at that time which was called JEEP, a four wheel drive. This vehicle created a history at that time and used as the only carrier for one of the most important task in the war field i.e. carrying the stuffs for the soldiers. It was a quality product; or rather call it as a FQP (First Quality Product), with minimum parts and maximum output. That is why JEEP has a meaning which itself state the quality dimensions.

JEEP - Just Essential Engine Parts

All the SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicle) are based on this JEEP concept.

Up to 1960, no one/company was aware of what exactly Quality stands for. But after 1960, Quality procedures started. Our very own first Quality Guru - William Edwards Deming (October 14, 1900–December 20, 1993) was an American citizen. He was a statistician, college professor, author, lecturer, and consultant. Deming is widely credited with improving production in the United States during World War II, although he is perhaps best known for his work in Japan. He was the first person who said that most of the people problems are due to the poor management and their policies. He included statistics with the management tools and taught the top management about how to improve the performance statistically.

Deming made a significant contribution to Japan's later renown for innovative high-quality products and its economic power. He is regarded as having had more impact upon Japanese manufacturing and business than any other individual not of Japanese heritage. Despite being considered something of a hero in Japan, he was only beginning to win widespread recognition in the U.S. at the time of his death. It was all due to his contribution in Japan economy that Japan started “Deming Award” in 1951 to those individuals / organizations that are contributing the most in the arena of Quality. This award is being given by JUSE, Japanese Union for Scientists and Engineers.

So from here, Quality started and still in a process of refinement.

-- Sanat Sharma