Amount Quote by Karl Taylor Compton
“No amount of artificial protection can permanently maintain an obsolete product, an inferior process or a moribund organization against competitors which are based on scientifically improved products or methods.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Karl Taylor Compton, 1945
Outdated products, processes, or organizations cannot survive against scientifically advanced competitors, regardless of protective measures.
In simple terms: Old methods fail against better, science‑driven alternatives.
Key Takeaway
Invest in innovation and continuous improvement.
Themes
technology
competition
obsolescence
Mood
cautionary
motivational
Type
strategic
warning
When to use this quote
- product development
- process redesign
- corporate strategy
- market competition
Key Concepts
economics
innovation management
Questions to Reflect On
- What innovations can revitalize a stagnant organization?
- How do you balance protection with progress?
A Different Perspective
Protection alone cannot sustain decline.
