[Quality. A universal story, as old as the hills]

If one were to define Quality today, it would be tempting simply to refer to ISO Norm 9000-2000 where quality is described as the aptitude of the intrinsic characteristics of a product, a system, or a process to satisfy the demands of clients and other interested parties. What is more interesting is to understand how the present notion of quality was fashioned. The process has involved several phases requiring centuries of experience. The idea of checking was first brought forward during an early phase, which ran from the invention of writing to the beginning of the 20th century. This first phase developed slowly and was marked by the invention of measuring instruments and standards. It saw the birth of industrial production which deprived the craftsman of the produced article. The second phase brought forward the notion that checking alone is insufficient. This led to a new concept, Quality Assurance, made possible by the development of mathematical tools (statistics) aimed at controlling the production process. The next phase first appeared in Japan. Faced with the problem of industrial reconstruction after World War II, the Japanese developed a new mode of production management where the two notions of checking and quality assurance were integrated into very concept of the industrial firm. The last phase corresponds to the response of western industry to Japanese competition. Quality is now conceived as a strategic marketing tool playing an essential role in management. Tracing the history of Quality to its origin in ancient times raises the intriguing question as to its profound, possibly archetypic, source.