August 19

[The Story Teller]

August 19
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Sherwin-Williams
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“The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.”
—Charles Kettering
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At times, you must stick to your convictions. This can be particularly difficult when your convictions run counter to long-standing tradition. Paint has been around for thousands of years, having been used by the Egyptians prior to 1000 B.C. By the nineteenth century, paint was sold as a base color, with pigments available for custom mixing. However, the average nineteenth-century American rarely used paint. Most houses were left unpainted, but if a home was painted, the owner usually had to rely on a painter to mix the desired color or be content with white. It was almost impossible to purchase two batches of paint that matched exactly.



In 1870 a paint company named Sherwin, Dunham, and Griswold had to make a decision. One of the partners, Henry Sherwin, had come up with an idea to develop ready-mixed paints, but the other owners were against it. They were sure that people wanted to mix their colors at home—to get the tint just right. Sherwin disagreed, and as a result, the company was dissolved and Sherwin found another partner, Edward Williams. Their new firm, Sherwin-Williams, embarked on a lengthy research project to perfect a way to premix paint in a consistent and convenient manner. The company’s ready-mixed paint was introduced in 1880 and signaled a revolution in do-it-yourself painting. Soon, few American houses were left unpainted, proving that Henry Sherwin was right after all—homeowners didn’t like the hassle of mixing their own paint.



Consider This: Some people cannot see advancement. Some will not consider change. Those who can see advancement and are willing to seek change can lead the way to the future.



Submitted by Richard