The Evolution of Thinking About Quality

The attention for quality has existed as long as products have been manufactured. Even in the Stone Age (in Europe going as far back as 4000 BC) products were compared to a previously determined norm. An early proof of the existence of quality science dates back from 3000 BC. Drawings discovered on Egyptian pyramid walls exhibit an extensive quality control and quality inspection system which was properly utilized in their construction projects. The Hammurabi Code, dating back from the Babylonian era (1728–1686 BC), imposes heavy punishments on contractors, when the quality of their work was so defective that others might get hurt, or incur other types of damage.