From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
On the policy for making progress, advocating for simplicity, robustness, and consistency of direction.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 181\M13\M13.1\ img014 | |
| Date | 15th February 1924 | |
| [Handwritten top]: R.{Sir Henry Royce} Homily on Policy [Typed]: To [redacted] FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to - C.J. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} re. PROGRESS AT W. [Handwritten]: V1775 Will all at W. take great care not to attempt too much, but be certain that we are making progress with the work in the soundest and simplest and most robust way, instead of being too clever by attempting too much and possibly a too perfect design, and so going wrong or not getting anything. We must try to avoid some of our faults in the past, which are as above, plus the very serious fault of changing our object or policy. Persistence in one direction when we have found that we are in a good direction should be followed until found wrong, then naturally change at once, and definitely; no half measures. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||