Episode 682 - Seeing Solutions

In this episode of Monday Morning Mojo, Phil Buchanan shares the inspiring story of Ralph Teeter, a man who overcame blindness to revolutionize the automotive industry with his invention of cruise control. Despite his physical limitations, Teeter's heightened sense of touch and relentless determination allowed him to solve complex engineering problems. Phil emphasizes the importance of perseverance and creative problem-solving, encouraging listeners to push beyond their limits and tackle challenges head-on. Tune in to discover how passion and ingenuity can turn obstacles into opportunities.

Resources:

Please send Comments, Questions, and Feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Transcript 

Top performers in every field surround themselves with those who inspire them, who seek to build them up, and who push them to reach beyond their current limits. I'm Phil Buchanan, Executive Chairman of Cannon Financial Institute. I designed Monday Morning Mojo to provide you with a weekly spark, a push, and motivational insight to live your best life.

Thanks for joining. Hello, Cannon Nation. It is Phil here with episode 682 of Monday Morning Mojo. Ralph Teeter was born at the end of the 19th century in Wayne County, Indiana. His family was in the manufacturing business. First they manufactured bicycles, then they moved into railway inspection cars before finally getting into the automotive supply business.

An accident at age five eventually led to permanent blindness for Ralph Teeter. Yet, as is often the story, the loss of one's sense heightened his other senses. And in his particular case His sense of touch was certainly heightened. His family taught him metal machining. The family business involved into producing gasoline engines with a main customer base focused on the racing circuit.

Teetor received both a bachelor's and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He went on to work on a navy contract for steam turbines. He designed new gearshift technology for the family business that was eventually sold to the Bendix Corporation. He eventually took over the family business and he perfected technology for producing quality piston rings.

Teetor's mind was constantly at work. His work, the business of engineering and the design was absolutely amazing in that he could not see the way you and I see that business. But what he couldn't see with his eyesight, he could sense through his other senses, the sense of feel. Motion and touch. This teeter lived a nice long life, dying in February of 1982.

Now again, each of us have heard stories like Tudor's before. Individuals who overcome great challenges to accomplish great things. But to think about Well, it just makes his accomplishments that much more amazing. Yet, when you are truly passionate about your work, almost anything becomes possible. Teetor learned of problems or challenges in his mind's eye.

He had to conceptualize the issue. He had to conceptualize how to address them. You know, think about this. Teetor learned of problems or challenges and it was in his mind's eye that he conceptualized the issue and then conceptualized how to address them. He then went about building out prototypes and solutions.

Again, using his sense of feel and touch. He did not allow himself to be limited. Not by past failures, not by mistakes, not by naysayers, not by any physical limitation. He just simply kept moving forward. You know, when you think about it, it is so easy in life to pinpoint problems. It's even easier to complain about problems others have already pinpointed.

What takes prudence and temperance is to truly understand a challenge. To determine how various parties will be potentially impacted. To analyze potential solutions and to craft a path forward. It is easy to sit on the sidelines or in the passenger seat and gripe. Fixing the problem takes effort.

Remember that the next time you hear someone complain or heaven forbid you or I complain. And think about the story of Ralph Teeter, who found issues, who found challenges, even though he could not see them, had to sense them, visualize them in his mind's eye, and create a solution. Oh, one final question.

Have you ever witnessed a driver of a car speed up and slow down for no apparent reason? It can be frustrating, right? I always ask myself, why aren't they using their cruise control? That's what you and I do, right? I mean, think about it. A cruise control saves money, saves hassle, saves energy. Who was the man who had the vision for the cruise control?

I bet you guessed it. Ralph Teetor, sitting in the passenger seat, not complaining, just solving the problem. Have a great week. Monday morning mojo is a production of Cannon financial Institute. Executive producer of Monday morning. Mojo is Sarah Jones, managing producer of Monday morning. Mojo is McCall Chamberlain.

Editing and mixing is done by Danny. Until next time, I'm Phil Buchanan reminding you to be a force for good. Have a great week. And thanks for being part of the mojo community.