Who was he and why should we as Datsun owners care?

Found with a simple Google search http://www.automationmag.com/images/stories/LWTech-files/41%20Dr.W.Edwards%20Deming.pdf

Can you say quality management, statistics and process control?

And good PR.

Dr. Deming the father of TQM, Total Quality Management. He believed in constant process improvement. He tried to sell his advice to American industry, but got no love so he took his training to Japan, and in there lies why Datsun owners care if Dr. Deming ever lived. He was responsible for Japan produces quality cars.

On a similar note, has anyone read the book "William R. Gorham: An American Engineer in Japan"?

The whole Deming thing came to mind erlier this week when I was talking with a friend at a warehouse here. The man has been in the parts business for, I'm guessing, 40 years or so and had was not aware of the Deming contribution or the lack of vision by our manufacturers. Thought there might be some here who could benefit from seeing the info...

The Japanese manufacturers were already interested in statistical process control through their study of the work of Walter Shewart. What Deming did was to teach and help them focus that interest on their manufacturing processes and management techniques.

Yes, I have read; "An American Engineer in Japan". Very dry reading however good for understanding the development of Japanese industry, pre war.

The Japanese Automobile Industry: Technology and Management at Nissan and Toyota

Michael Cusumano wrote the book on japans auto industry.

Michael Cusumano wrote a book on Japan's auto industry.

There. Fixed that for you.

Anybody else got the MIKI Press title 'SEVEN KEY PEOPLE IN THE HISTORY OF DATSUN ( The Men Behind The Foundation & Development Of The Brand )', written by Kenji Shimokaze and Yutaka Katayama?

The Magnificent Seven as chosen by the authors are:

1. Masujiro HASHIMOTO

2. Kenjiro DEN

3. Rokuro AOYAMA

4. Meitaro TAKEUCHI

5. Yoshisuke AYUKAWA

6. William R. GORHAM

7. Yutaka KATAYAMA

Nice to see that modesty is alive and well......

ISBN 978-4-89522-545-8 if you're interested.