Ellwood Patterson Cubberley
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 48
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 edition. Excerpt: ... uable to the shop and forges ahead, till, of a sudden, the once scornful friend wakes up to the fact that he has been left far behind in the race for advancement, and that, while his own wages remain at much the same level, those of the trade school graduate are already in advance and show every prospect of further rise. The purchasing power of money is too different in France and America to make actual figures illuminating, but the gist of many tables is embodied in this suppositious instance.1 The superior workmanship betokened by greater wage-earning capacity is explained by comparing the training these two boys received. One was started and kept at work on some simple, easily acquired process, which he will go on performing for the rest of his days. The other has not only sharpened his wits by general instruction, but studied his trade in all its bearings. He learned to know a dozen implements instead of one; to understand a dozen operations. He followed the product from its inception in the mind of the designer to its completion and transfer to the school salesroom. He designed himself almost everything which came from his hand, and took 1 For items see Pierre Brizon, Vapprentissage and the reports of the French Minister of Education. that pride in the material expression of his own ideas that leads more surely than any other motive to care and finish. Making a piece of furniture is more to him than a boresome stint to be done before coveted francs can be acquired. He has a personal, intelligent interest in his task. He can take hold of a new process with ready comprehension, and, when thrown out of work in one branch of the trade, he can fall back upon another. He is independent and destined to rise in his profession, just as...