Ch8

I wrote this and the chapter 7 comments two weeks ago, but only now got around to posting them now. Sorry it took so long.

It took awhile for this chapter to get to the point. The chapter mentions mass customization. This is also known as the long the long-tail, one of the other books on the reading list. Soon, people will be able to customize everything they buy. This has a large part to do with the internet. People can already go on-line and customize their laptops, cars and clothing. As technology advances, everything will be customizable.

Japan was reverse engineering products before WW2. They did so combining the best elements of German, English, and American engineering. I would also like to hear the Japanese side of the story, as I feel like there is more to the story. It seems very one sided the way the authors tell it.

It seemed odd that Amazon would share their source code. In our law class, we learned that Amazon sued Barnes & Noble for copying the one click shopping. Maybe the sharing is a new development.

The book mentions how Magna makes parts for each auto manufacturer. Magna recently announced that since they make all the parts for a car, they are now making their own car.
The modern supply chain started in the early 1970’s when a typewriter firm found it was cheaper to build in Singapore, import the products, and pay the tariffs, than to build the typewriters in Texas. Just thought I would add that as a bit of trivia.