ABSTRACT
The cornerstone of quality control (QC), as it has evolved, was laid in the 1920s with the development of the control chart by Walter ewhart and of sampling/inspection principles and techniques by Harold Dodge. An advanced stage of the QC evolution is expressed by the term and concept of quality system. On the negative side, as for many standards passing through debate, review, negotiation, and consensus, ISO 9000 represents a “least common denominator” in its coverage of the quality management/assurance/system disciplines. In the evolution to total quality a solid foundation is laid in defining quality as well as in describing stages of QC development to quality systems and total quality. The ISO 9000 Series is described as quality management, quality assurance, quality system guidelines and standards—all foundational to total quality Reference is made to national quality awards and current Good Manufacturing Practices as parts of a total quality system.
