The Challenge Ahead of New Manager
In a wood-cutting factory, five
large sawing machines stand in a windowless room. Each machine has an
on/off switch attached, there being no doubt as to which switch controls
which machine.
Outside the door to the room are five back-up on/off
switches, one for each machine inside. The power for each machine must
first pass through the back-up switch, and then the machine switch
before reaching the saw.
The problem is, the new manager cannot decide
how these back-up switches match with the machines inside the room. One
day, the manager's brother visits. The manager takes him inside the
sawing room where all five machines are at work and explains the
problem. The brother announces that he intends to leave the room and
that when he returns he will be able to match correctly the five
switches outside the room to the five machines inside. The brother works
alone, cannot see the machines from outside the room and solves the
problem purely by operating switches.