Creator Personality in Products

"Five cars produced in a year . . . this, of course, is what strikes one most. The production rate soon increased con- siderably; yet even when Bugatti cars were famed the world over each one was still built, finished and tuned as though it were a unique model being made for a particular customer, and requiring the personal attention of its constructor. Such an attitude was by no means as rare at that time as it would be today; mass production was still unknown, and cars were hand-built for the most part, each an expression"

"tion which spiced his conversation. He was, then, a man of considerable perception and imagination, genial and gen- erous in every respect, and his egoism only showed if his habits were threatened; but it was rare, for he had a funda- mentally good nature, was liberal-minded and impartial. He was excitable at times, young and lively in spirit, tackling problems with enthusiasm. He liked beauty in all things, even in useless, transitory things."

"He had a wonderful visnal memory, a photographic mind, not only for things brought to his notice but for imagining creatively in the minutest detail. His inventions and designs varied from an improved form of door-lock and a hinge to the most complicated aeroengines and ships’ engines. At one time he became very interested in sailing craft, and produced a roller reefing gear, fishing-reels and the like. Surgical in- struments aroused his interest, too, and a friendly firm of precision engineers produced his new trepan. Although he"