The Drive To Build

It doesn't matter if you're a hardcore engineer or just an average user that interacts with basic technology--here is a story that I hope you all find inspirational:

The Empire State Building

A Few Quick Facts:

• 102-story Art Deco Skyscraper
• Stood as the Worlds Tallest Building for over 40 years
• Since 9/11, it is once again the Tallest Building in New York
• American Society of Civil Engineers named it one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World
• Completed in just 410 days
• Start Date: March 17th 1930
• Open For Business: May 1st 1931
• Total Workers: 3,400
• Number of Deaths During Construction: 5

So why am I talking about the Empire State Building and what does it have to do with technology development?

Here's what we were able to do:

We built the first building in the world to have more than 100 floors--that contained over 100 bathrooms---6500 windows---64 elevators---70 miles of pipe---2,500,000 feet of electrical wire---it stood as the World's Tallest Skyscraper for 41 years, and it stood as the World's Tallest Man-Made Structure for 23 years... But what you should keep in mind is that this was all completed in exactly one year and 45 days.

And if you want to focus on design as it relates to technology, here is a quote from Wikipedia:

"Long-term forecasting of the life cycle of the structure was implemented at the design phase to ensure that the building's future intended uses were not restricted by the requirements of future generations. This is particularly evident in the over-design of the building's electrical system."

So now lets get to my point. What's happened to us? Why were we able to do this in 1930, but today it takes us over two years to design and build a new handset? What gives? Don't believe me? Here--check out the Blackberry Pearl Website and click on Inspiration.

Now don't get me wrong---I love the Pearl---its was finally the perfect balance between size, sexiness and simplicity I had always hoped RIM would get around to---but 3 years? Really? AMAZING!! We could have dug holes in the ground and built 3 Empire State Buildings with running water, electricity, and all the other intricate details that go into making a building functional, in the time it took you to make a handset. I mean do you really think it's more challenging to get engineers together to work on a handset then it is to get thousands of iron workers, contractors, designers, architects, lawyers, engineers and God knows what else in place to accomplish erecting a building?

I know there is a difference between these two sectors and projects, but my point is that I know we can do better. We should remember what we were capable of doing 77 years ago--and if we come together today I guarantee you we can make some amazing things that people will be just as proud and amazed by.

This is what I want deeda to make possible--rapid turnaround of amazingly innovative ideas. Unfortunately, we were ahead of the curve with our designs and products, but behind on the funding side. After all, it did cost $40,948,900 to build the Empire State Building---so money is what it is---a necessity---but without passion and drive, even a billion dollars are worthless.

You have to believe.


If you're still looking for some motivation... here you go, the speech is titled: "Go For It!":