ABSTRACT
In1689Bostonwasdestroyedbyfire.Tospeedthereconstruction,thecityfathers decreedthatthekilnoperatorsproduceonly9in.X4in.X4in.bricksinstead ofanyofthevarietiesofsizestheyhadmadeinthepast.Violationofthismandate resultedinaterminthestocksorpillory.Thisdecreeillustratesthepurposesof standardization:toestablisharoutine,toestablisharequirementtoconform,and toestablishspecificationsandstandards(1).Withthismandatethecitymanagers insuredthatthebrickmakers,themasons,andthearchitectsallknewwhatto expectwithregardtobricks.Inaddition,itmadepossibleareasonablyaccurate predictionoftime,manpower,andcoststocompleteconstructionofbuildings.
