Automobile Quote by Charles Kettering
“We suffer not from overproduction but from undercirculation. You have heard of technocracy. I wish I had those fellows for my competitors. I'd like to take the automobile it is said they predicted could be made now that would last fifty years. Even if never used, this automobile would not be worth anything except to a junkman in ten years, because of the changes in men's tastes and ideas. This desire for change is an inherent quality in human nature, so that the present generation must not try to crystallize the needs of the future ones.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: 1930s lecture on industrial innovation, Charles Kettering
He warns that focusing on current needs ignores human desire for change, making future needs unpredictable
In simple terms: People naturally seek change, so we shouldn't lock in future needs now
Key Takeaway
Embrace flexibility and avoid over‑designing products
Themes
innovation
future planning
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
strategic
When to use this quote
- product design
- strategic forecasting
- investment decisions
Key Concepts
technological change
market dynamics
product lifespan
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we design adaptable products?
- What risks arise from over‑committing to current trends?
A Different Perspective
Predicting future demand is uncertain and risky
