[Ads-l] Quote Origin: Everything that makes this thing go was supplied by the lowest bidder

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

A U.S. astronaut was asked how he felt while sitting in a space
capsule while preparing for launch from Earth into orbit. He replied
with a trenchant comment about equipment and contracts. Here are two
versions:

(1) Everything that makes this thing go was supplied by the lowest bidder.

(2) My life depended on 150,000 pieces of equipment - each bought from
the lowest bidder.

Back in 2017 I posted about this and created a QI article. Now, the
article has been updated with an earlier citation which suggests that
Walter Schirra originated this family of sayings. The quotation was
heard by Edward R. Annis who was the incoming president of the
American Medical Association.

https://quoteinvestigator.com/2017/06/27/lowest-bidder/

[ref] 1962 November 26, Purchasing Week, Purchasing Perspective, Start
Page 1, Quote Page 37, Column 4, McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, New
York. (Verified with scans) [/ref]

[Begin excerpt]
Annis says he was being shown through Cape Canaveral last summer
during the countdown for astronaut Walter Schirra's six-circuit orbit
of the earth. The medical team introduced Annis to Schirra, and the
doctor asked the astronaut what concerned him most. After a moment’s
thought, Annis says, Schirra replied: "Every time I climb up on the
couch I say to myself--just think, Wally, everything that makes this
thing go was supplied by the lowest bidder."
[End excerpt]

Barry Popik updated his webpage on this topic years ago. He found a
great December 14, 1962 LA Times citation pointing to Schirrra.

https://barrypopik.com/blog/never_forget_that_your_weapon_was_made_by_the_lowest_bidder_military_saying

Garson

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