A large manufacturing company has recently located in our district. One day I called on the General Manager of the plant (who was occupying temporary quarters at one end of the building) in regard to the lighting of the office building then under construction. He told me that the first and second floors would be used as offices, the third floor as a drafting room, and the lighting had been provided for in the form of general and local lights where necessary. I could not quite understand what kind of an office building would require local lights.
The manager seemed rather busy, and not very much interested in me or the lighting, but during the few minutes he gave me I told him that I specialized on designing the illumination for buildings, including fixtures and the proper size lamps, and could probably be of some service to him in that respect, and would like to make an appointment to suit his convenience, look over the lighting plan and submit fixtures for inspection. He agreed to see me the following week. The sample fixtures were duly delivered.
About two o’clock, I arrived at the office and inquired for the manager, who informed me that unfortunately he, with the other directors of the company, were in consultation, and could not see me for an hour, but that I should take the plan, go to the office building, check up the lighting system, and return to the office with my recommendations.
Upon my return to the office the office boy informed me that the officials were in the factory, but would return in a few minutes. I took advantage of this opportunity to collect the sample fixtures and assemble them for demonstration. When they arrived I explained the reason for a number of changes in the plan to their satisfaction; also giving them the assurance that adequate illumination could be provided with general lighting only, using semi-indirect fixtures with MAZDA C lamps, thereby eliminating all local lights.
Their attention was next directed to the fixtures that were to produce this illumination and how the MAZDA C lamps had made possible this method of lighting. After selecting the proper fixture I received the order for twenty-one fixtures. The third floor of this building is used as a drafting room and is 39’ x 59’ in size. The lighting for this room was planned under the supervision of the head of that department.
Being anxious to know how well it was designed, I asked for a plan, so that I might look over it and get in touch with that department’s official at a later date. My request was granted. On arriving home that evening I examined the plan carefully and found there were to be twenty-three drawing tables, one outlet at each table for a portable lamp and a number of ceiling outlets for general illumination. I said to myself that that system of lighting may have been all right during the life of the carbon lamp, but it won’t do since the birth of the MAZDA C.
Next morning I called Mr. D. on the phone, told him of my visit to the plant the previous day, and how I had designed the lighting for the offices, and would like to go over the lighting for the drafting room. He was willing to have me call that day, but was sure they had provided the only method of illumination for that class of work. We met according to agreement that afternoon, and I explained to Mr. D. and the chief draftsman how, with the MAZDA C lamps, we could design a lighting scheme whereby all the light would be reflected from the ceiling, avoiding glare and shadows, and at the same time proving a very high intensity of illumination without the use of local lights.
Mr. D. looked at his assistant and smilingly said, “It can’t be done.”
I then produced a rough sketch of the proposed lighting outlets spaced nine feet apart, using total-indirect fixtures of the Nation al X-Ray Reflector Company, each equipped with a 200-watt MAZDA C lamp. After examining the plan carefully, Mr. D inquired about the cost, which I estimated at $300.00.
His reply was something like this: “What! Spend $300.00 for a lighting system that you say will be satisfactory, when I am sure it will not meet our requirements.”
Here is where I produced the big punch, and replied, “I’ll guarantee a satisfactory job or it won’t cost you a cent.” That was a pretty big statement, boys, but when you know you have the goods, go to the limit.
My assurance brought a smile to Mr. D’s face, and he replied, “The only way to get rid of this fellow is to give him the order.” Well, I got the order, and the 200-watt MAZDA C produced the light, and the P.S. got the $300.00.
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands who prophesy failure;There are thousands who point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Then take off your coat and go to it;Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing,
That cannot be done, and you’ll do it.