Authors: Daniel J Benac
Publish Date: 2014/12/18
Volume: 15, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-2
Abstract
Once upon a time there were two sailmakers one in Rhode Island the other in California They both opened for business in the 1800s and both companies prospered making canvas sails for ships of all sizes Even after steamships replaced tall ships they survived because they were the low cost high quality producers In fact both remained profitable in a much smaller market well into the 20th century Then nylon was inventedThe California Company said “Retooling would be much too expensive and anyway nylon will never replace all canvas sails We are still the biggest sailmaker in the country and we cannot possibly lose all of our customers” However within a few years of the introduction of nylon sails that company was out of businessThe Rhode Island manufacturer said “Retooling would be much too expensive on the other hand we can clearly see that all sails will soon be made of nylon Therefore we will find other stuff to make” Today that company prospers making awnings and canvas bags 1
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