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<p>We have all heard variations of a quote that goes something like this, "If cars had improved as much as computers, you would be able to buy a Rolls-Royce for $5, etc." I may have found the original quote all quite by accident and thought you might want it:<br>
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"If we compare the automotive and computer industries over the last 30 years, we find that if there had been similar progress in the auto industry as there was in the computer industry . . . then the auto industry would today be able to offer us a Rolls-Royce for $2.50 with an E.P.A. gas rating of 2 million miles per gallon."<br>
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--an IT executive quoted in "Computing for Business Into the 1980s," <i>Fortune </i>(June 5, 1978), page 25 (full article pp. 23-86). If anybody has an earlier quote, share.<br>
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Enjoy!<br>
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Dr. Jim (James) W. Cortada<br>
IBM Institute for Business Value <br>
2917 Irvington Way<br>
Madison, WI 53713 USA<br>
jwcorta@us.ibm.com<br>
608-270-4462</body></html>