Because John Fossey said, “Your patents will revolutionize the world’s economy,” it isn’t easy to be patient. But being mindful of the fact that it took the maritime industry 19 years to embrace Malcom McLean’s untested ideas, mostly because maritime officials back then were inclined to place their own welfare above that of the general public, one learns to accept the delay and to recognize that the inclinations of today’s officials are no different from those of their predecessors.

The patents we’ve been discussing in these commentaries take Mr. McLean’s innovative ideas on containerization to an even higher level. Up to this point the world-wide use of containers has resulted in explosive growth in national economies and unexpected developments in international trade. This spectacular growth and development, for the most part, his brought increased prosperity to advanced nations and has assisted in the development of emerging nations. For the most part.

But there are always limitations to progress. Some of these limitations are absolute and can never be overcome while others may prove to be temporary impediments. The maritime industry is encountering widespread stumbling-blocks throughout the supply chain and officials seem to be unanimous in their thinking that throwing taxpayers’ money around is the only way to determine whether or not these obstacles are surmountable.

“Not in my backyard! … Let George do it! … If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”, sums up the reluctant attitudes expressed by officials who should know better. What really bothers them is the possibility that the introduction of ‘high-tech’ systems could effect changes in the industry that may not particularly enhance their status or their personal welfare. Our systems, however, are ‘low-tech’ not ‘high-tech’. There will be no reductions in employee numbers, or salaries, or status. On the contrary, employee numbers, salaries and status at every level will be increased and improved , and the only reductions our systems will bring about will be in space, time and costs.

Our patented systems also solve a problem that has been plaguing government, industry and our nation’s citizens as well. Our systems provide 100% scanning of all containers without causing as much as a hiccup in the international supply chain. This advancement alone should be enough to convince doubting Thomases that these “patents will revolutionize the world’s economy”.

As opposed to conventionally-structured systems, our systems;
• Use about 10% of the space;
• Make it possible to handle many times the number of containers;
• Create a need for additional employees;
• Resolve the trucking and congestion problem with an in-house delivery system;
• Reduce the cost of operations and the cost to consumers;
• Reduce and even eliminate the numbers and types of emission-causing vehicles;
• … and miraculously, scan 100% of all containers.

But we’re just scratching the surface. There’s more.