【真实故事:知识就是力量 - 画一条线,1美元;知道在哪儿画线,9999美元】 你听说过工程师为了简单维修却要收1万美元的故事吗?这事儿真的发生过——而幕后推手正是查尔斯·普罗特斯·斯坦梅茨(Charles Proteus Steinmetz,1865-1923),一位真正的电气天才。 事情是这样的:亨利·福特在里弗鲁日工厂的一台大型发电机发生故障,而福特自己的专家团队却无法查明问题所在。斯坦梅茨来了。他只带了一本笔记本、一支笔和一张折叠床就赶来了。两天两夜,他仔细聆听,草草记下复杂的计算,并观察着每一声嗡嗡声和震动。 最后,他带着粉笔、卷尺和梯子爬上了发电机。在标记了一个位置,并指示工作人员从这个位置精确地解开16圈电线后,发电机轰鸣着恢复了运转——完好如初。 几天后,福特收到了斯坦梅茨的发票:1万美元。他很惊讶,要求提供一份详细的账单。斯坦梅茨的回复是: * “画粉笔标记:1 美元 * 知道在哪里画:9,999 美元” 福特毫不犹豫地付款了——而这张小小的发票也永远提醒着我们,专业知识是无价的。 来源:Simithonian Magazine 文章:“Charles Proteus Steinmetz, the Wizard of Schenectady His contributions to mathematics and electrical engineering made him one of the most beloved and instantly recognizable men of his time.” 【注】抱歉,链接加不上 Here’s what went down: a massive generator at Henry Ford’s River Rouge plant failed, and Ford’s own team of experts couldn’t pinpoint the issue. Enter Steinmetz. He showed up with just a notebook, pen, and a folding cot. For two days and nights, he listened, scribbled complex calculations, and observed every hum and vibration. Finally, he climbed the generator with chalk, a tape measure, and a ladder. After marking a single spot and directing the crew to unwind exactly 16 turns of wire from that precise point, the generator roared back to life—good as new. A few days later, Ford received Steinmetz’s invoice: \$10,000. Surprised, he asked for an itemized bill. Steinmetz responded: * “Placing the chalk mark: $1 * Knowing where to place it: $9,999” Ford paid without question—and that tiny invoice has become a timeless reminder that expertise is priceless.