Charles Kettering Quotes
The future can be anything we want it to be, providing we have the faith and that we realize that peace, no less than war, required blood and sweat and tears.
Kettering, Charles F. Prophet of Progress: Selections from the Speeches of Charles F. Kettering. Edited by T. A. Boyd, E. P. Dutton, 1961.
The general was expressing a principle that is believed to this day by many policy makers, military people and civilians: Once a war has begun, one must not stop it until victory has been attained. It is unacceptable to negotiate an end to hostilities unless the enemy has been badly beaten on the battlefield. There is this view that “honor” would be lost and that enemies and even allies will not respect you and think the nation is weak and fearful. So there would always be extensive pressure to keep on fighting and not negotiate until there is a military dominant position.
He became one of the great heroes of the American navy and this statement is taught to every American sailor. Actually, although a very good Captain, in the battle with the Shannon, he made a number of mistakes which was unusual for him, but the Shannon won the battle. The American sailors did not give up the ship, but they were overcome with one of the highest casualty rates of any sea battle of the time. Had Lawrence lived—he dies of infection from his wounds—he probably would have faced a board of inquiry or a court martial, but his death turned him into an American hero. See {625129}. Commodore Perry, a friend of Lawrence, had “Don’t Give Up The Ship” sewn on to his battle flag, and the motto has been part of the United States Navy ever since.
Adams is quoting from Cato, a play by Joseph Addison.
Charles Franklin Kettering sometimes known as Charles "Boss" Kettering was an American inventor, engineer, businessman, and the holder of 186 patents. He was a founder of Delco, and was head of research at General Motors from 1920 to 1947. Among his most widely used automotive developments were the electrical starting motor and leaded gasoline. In association with the DuPont Chemical Company, he was also responsible for the invention of Freon refrigerant for refrigeration and air conditioning systems. At DuPont he also was responsible for the development of Duco lacquers and enamels, the first practical colored paints for mass-produced automobiles. While working with the Dayton-Wright Company he developed the "Bug" aerial torpedo, considered the world's first aerial missile. He led the advancement of practical, lightweight two-stroke diesel engines, revolutionizing the locomotive and heavy equipment industries. In 1927, he founded the Kettering Foundation, a non-partisan research foundation. He was featured on the cover of Time magazine on January 9, 1933.
