Pop Goes the Weasel — Our Heritage of Quality Products
For many of us forged in Ulster I am sure we have a link to the linen industry. In fact many towns and villages became what they are today through the mills on the River Maine, Braid and many others.
When we think of the Software Industry we often draw a parallel to our ship building, aircraft and even rope manufacturing heritage but rarely take it to the mills which were once the core of our economy.
I grew up in the small town of Randalstown in Co. Antrim and “The Old Bleach” Linen Mill and its chimney cannot go unnoticed, especially when half of your relatives where first “given a start” and worked many years in it.
These mills were much more than an employer for the masses or unskilled worker but a symbol of pride and quality of world class craftsmanship in the community that has lasted for generations.
The verses in the poem make no exaggeration. The linen produced in the Old Bleach was world renowned and requested from Royalty.
Look at the verse about the carpets. The focus on not just the fine quality but also its non-fading guarantee. This is not just something shiny but also something that they are sure will not result in degradation.
There is reference and known value to the current production rate but “that’s only a start and a step to the peak”. No Resting on their Laurels of visits from dignitaries but a desire for incrementally getting to much more.
This feeling of satisfaction for their work and the motivation for more is also stoked by how they were treated and looked after by the employer, the community aspect and good salary and holiday entitlement. The Old Bleach Bowling club for example remains active today.
Just like the ship building industry the textile industry is no longer what it once was for many detailed reasons but the Software Industry can certainly be, if it is not already, the new sign of quality and depth of creative and innovative hardworking talent.
Ulster was not of course the only region or country to drive out these industries but over the last couple of centuries we have punched above our weight in them. We will openly collaborate and reuse other ideas and take them to the next level.
“Pop Goes the Weasel — The weasel was a small wooden device that was part of a clock reel for measuring yarn. The reel released pressure which forced the weasel up and to pop. The nursery rhyme derives from this and was brought over by the French Huguenots who established the silk trade in London and further afield.”
Source: http://www.millsofnorthernireland.com/
The Weasel was clearly an innovation that ensured consistency in lengths and automated the counting from the operator.
The idea of automation of small tasks to ensure consistency has many parallels to Software and we know that it is not good enough to make something shiny. It also needs to have real quality and rigor.