History of Quality

Now a days Quality plays a predominant role in any Industry. World around us is demanding for more and more quality products in fact we aim at Zero defect Product. Sometimes we wonder how this quality initiated and it made us to lead a perfect living.

Ok, till where can I find its roots?

Here is the answer…

 Actually the quality movement started somewhere in 13^th century, can trace its roots back to medieval Europe, where craftsmen began organizing into unions called guilds. These guilds were responsible for developing strict rules for product and service quality. Inspection committees enforced the rules by marking flawless goods with a special mark or symbol. Since most craftsmen sold their goods locally, each had a tremendous personal stake in meeting customers’ needs for quality. If quality needs weren’t met, the craftsman ran the risk of losing customers not easily replaced. Therefore, masters maintained a form of quality control by inspecting goods before sale. They Developed a Strict Quality standards based on the customer requirement. Oh my God Quality Standards in those days!!!

Until the early 19th century, manufacturing in the industrialized world tended to follow this craftsmanship model.

Europe, from mid-1750s to early 1800s grew into the Industrial Revolution.  In 19^th Century they have developed Factory System where craftsmen’s trades are divided into specialized tasks. This forced craftsmen to become factory workers and forced shop owners to become production supervisors. Quality in the factory system was ensured through the skill of laborers supplemented by audits and/or inspections. Defective products were either reworked or scrapped.

This is about Quality’s genesis. Till here Quality is confined to customer desired product development.

Interesting??

Will continue posting on when mankind realized the importance of Quality