What’s with the Fork?

“There’s something to be said for quality!”
— R. Thomas
American Philosopher & Author

“It’s all about quality isn’t it?”
— Clement Meadmore
Australian-American Sculptor & Musician

Act One
1971
I bought a dozen each of thrift-store spoons, knives and forks to equip my college apartment. Got a $2 bargain at St. Vincent DePaul. Some said, “US Navy.” Some had no particular lineage. But that evening, washing and drying the acquisitions, I made a find! There, at the bottom of the pile, corroded beyond recognition, was a pure black fork. Finishing the others, I brought my full attention to this stealthy item. Washing it once more, I discovered that it had accumulated enough corrosion to defeat mere detergent. So, I went in search of a more muscular restorative. Returning with a can of silver polish, I set to work. After what seemed like hours, the oxidized layers gave way to the gleam of antique silver. That night, I became the proud owner of an antique Oneida Community, Paul Revere Sterling Fork, resting in state in my cabinet.

Over the next several weeks, that fork became my sole meal-time implement; dignifying and at the same time shaming the dishes; a Monarch standing above the Mel-Mac Peasants. Quality prevailed. There was a pottery studio on the way to campus where I obtained a hand-thrown dinner plate with a small imperfection for $12. Now we’re on to something! The plate and the fork upstaged the competition and became the sole eating tools. Then came a hand-woven fabric place mat.

1975
As the first full-time job became a reality, the living situation received a review. Those posters that worked so well in college looked a little worn. Desiderata and Fritz Perls had to go. The bricks and boards turned into a wall unit, the hi-fi evolved into components and the new car brought home a framed designer fabric panel. The Fork and Stoneware demanded a real table. Henkel cutlery appeared in the kitchen. Little by little, I was discovering and acquiring quality. The Paul Revere fork still dominated.
Act Two
1980
The move to the big city. Henkel came along, the full set of hand thrown dishes and the antique Kimono collection. But Paul Revere remained back home in Mom’s kitchen — too elegant to discard, yet too lonely as a single player. The few things I had, now resided in a Manhattan studio with an exposed brick wall…

1982
My partner and I formed a household in Secaucus, New Jersey; we discovered differing perspectives about quality, art, style and signature. Our belongings and collections clashed — loudly! We decided on an egalitarian standard: Anything we owned going forward, had to please both of us! The Early American went. So did the Northwest Eclectic. We compromised on what we could both admire: Mid-Sixties Modern Art and Furniture. Not bad, but we couldn’t really afford much in the big city a so the acquisitions were few and far between. Art raised its head, to much reading, research and gallery visits.

1986
Moving from the burbs to the city 2 bedroom. The Eames Chair, The Saporiti Couch, The Bang & Olufsen sound system, The Ralph Lauren Wardrobe, The Cellular Phone.  Goodbye to the commute, to a Boss, and, to sleep. Entrepreneurship Rocks!
Act Three
1995
Florida.  Living here, we can actually afford to buy a home, cars and travel. Wow! And it grows and grows! Eventually, the extended family moved down and joined us. One night, visiting Mom, I reached for an implement in her kitchen drawer and that Paul Revere Fork (the very same!) escaped from the drawer and literally leapt into my hand… After twenty years, it had found its way back.  Still, that impeccable quality was a palpable fact!

2005
The fork moved to the office with me. An exemplary teaching example, it has found its way into a frame over the bar.
Act Four
2010
A young visitor to my office stops and says; “What’s with the Fork?” And so, the cycle begins again. “What is Quality? How does it figure in your life? Is it important? How do you talk about it?”

Applications

1. For You
“Quality” doesn’t simply mean “Good or Expensive” but “what distinctive character” separates this thing from all others? What qualities does this group have that make it unique?  As you begin thinking about Quality, it might mean, Good, Better, Best but also Unique! What Quality do you bring to your work, your relationships and your life? And what Quality or Character do you wish to bring to your home and workplace?

2. For the Family
At first, it’s about making sure everyone has enough food, clothing and shelter, but soon enough, we all become aware of quality — in what we eat, what we wear, what we watch and in what we choose to participate. Help your family make those distinctions with awareness of the difference between quality and quantity, in everything from friends to foods to facts.

3. For Work
Sometimes you stay late to put out a quality product. Sometimes you go home early to put in some quality time with the kids. And sometimes you and your team must “hold out for the best” despite pressure to compromise.

“What’s with the Fork?” It’s still hanging there, above the bar. It’s still the best, and because of that, I’ve never been able to abandon it. It’s no longer a utensil, but has matured into a timeless and inspiring Symbol, of uncompromising, peerless Quality. Through this discussion, maybe my “Standard” can inspire yours.

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