With direct focus on revolutionized business and technology changes, skunkworks is independent, highly. Skunk works dictionary definition skunk works defined. Thus, to be concluding, the working definition of skunk works for this thesis is. The rules of successful skunk works projects fast company. Skunk works definition of skunk works by merriamwebster. Skunk works definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Skunk works is an official pseudonym for lockheed martins advanced development programs adp, formerly called lockheed advanced development projects. Later, as johnsons successor as leader of the skunk works, rich championed and directed the early experimental prototypes of stealth technology and led the development of the f117 stealth fighter. Information and translations of skunk works in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Skunk works is a personal memoir written by the chief engineer of lockheeds skunk works ben rick. Also is an official alias for the lockheed martin advanced development. Definition of skunk written for english language learners from the merriamwebster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and countnoncount noun labels.
As recounted by ben rich, the operations brilliant boss for nearly. Sco skunkware, a collection of open source software. Skunk works definition, engineering, technical, consulting, and advisory services with respect to designing, building, equipping, and testing commercial and military aircraft and related equipment at lockheed martin corporation. Skunk works article about skunk works by the free dictionary. Skunk works is an official alias for lockheed martins advanced development programs adp, formerly called lockheed advanced development projects. Download our english dictionary apps available for both ios and android. Skunk works badger skunk civet cat conepati hognosed skunk polecat rooter skunk skunk cabbage skunkweed skunky spotted skunk swamp cabbage warning coloration wood pussy zoril. Skunk works definition and meaning collins english. A personal memoir of my years at lockheed from the worlds largest community of readers. Regarded as the father of stealth, rich was responsible for leading the development of the f117, the first production stealth aircraft.
A skunkworks project is a project developed by a relatively small and loosely structured group of people who research and develop a project primarily for the sake of radical innovation. Skunk works is the true story, told for the first time, of americas most secret and successful aerospace operation. Skunk definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Photos by jim wilson and lockheed martin skunk works. In the modern usage, a skunk works still seeks to depart from existing operational processes, but pursue a variety of goals. Information and translations of skunkworks in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web.
Oct 01, 1994 skunk works is a personal memoir written by the chief engineer of lockheeds skunk works ben rick. As recounted by ben rich, the operations brilliant boss for nearly two decades. Typically referring to projects for software or electronics that are sometimes developed in secrecy, the term was derived from the lockheed martin advanced development program skunk works and popularized by tom peters and nancy austin in their 1984 book a passion for excellence. Ben richs skunk works is a fascinating read, its thoughtprovoking, funny, inspiring and thoroughly interesting throughout. I have seen this epithet before, usually in the phrase skunk works, meaning a semiofficial project team that is tacitly licensed to bend the rules. Skunkworks dictionary definition skunkworks defined yourdictionary. Skunky definition is having a rancid smell or taste suggestive of a skunk. Imagine having to lose government contracts because you could not use the c. Skunkworks article about skunkworks by the free dictionary. Skunk works wordreference english dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. Websters new world college dictionary, fifth edition copyright. It is housed away from the organizations main operations, sometimes in secret or with organizational barriers.
The book also follows the careers of the two men who headed the skunk works team. The designation skunk works or skunkworks is widely used in business, engineering, and technical fields to describe a group within an organization given a high degree of autonomy and unhampered by bureaucracy, with the task of working on advanced or secret projects. Now located in palmdale, calif, the skunk works has branched out to. Skunk definition, a small north american mammal, mephitis mephitis, of the weasel family, having a black coat with a white, vshaped stripe on the back, and. Skunk works meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. It tells of the problems this awesome company dealt with due to the secret nature of their business. Then get your skunk works team movingand have them play by the. In a major pulling back of the veil of secrecy, official histories of such noteworthy products as the u2, a12, d21, sr71 and f117 are finally brought to light, authentically described by the company and the men who designed and built them. A skunk is a small black and white animal which releases an unpleasant smelling liquid if. The first and only official history of the worlds most famous advanced aircraft design bureau youve been waiting for. As recounted by ben rich, the operations brilliant boss for nearly two decades, the chronicle of lockheeds legendary skunk works is a drama of cold war confrontations and gulf war air combat, of. From the development of the u2 to the stealth fighter, the neverbeforetold story behind americas highstakes quest to dominate the skies, skunk works is the true story of americas most secret and successful aerospace operation.
Skunk definition, a small north american mammal, mephitis mephitis, of the weasel family, having a black coat with a white, vshaped stripe on the back, and ejecting a fetid odor when alarmed or attacked. Skunk works synonyms, skunk works pronunciation, skunk works translation, english dictionary definition of skunk works. As recounted by ben rich, the operations brilliant boss for nearly two decades, the story of lockheeds legendary skunk works is a highstakes drama of cold war confrontations and gulf war air combat, of extraordinary feats of engineering and human achievement against fantastic. Meaning of skunkworks by lexico oxford english dictionary. When an established firm aspires to experiment in a radical direction, management gurus recommend opening a skunk worksan organizational home for highpriority original thinking and projects. Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples log in dictionary. A skunkworks project is a project developed by a relatively small and loosely structured group. A personal memoir of my years at lockheed summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching skunk works. It was the wartime year of 1943 when kelly johnson brought together a handpicked team of lockheed aircraft corporation engineers and manufacturing people to rapidly and secretly complete the xp80 project. The book charts richs rise through lockheeds skunk works, from the ground floor to the penthouse suite. Everett rogers defined skunkworks as an enriched environment that is intended to help a. Its largest current project is the f35 lightning ii, which will be used in the air forces of several countries around the world. Less than a year following the publication of skunk works, dick abrams died. He also worked on the f104, u2, a12, sr71, and f22, among others.
Skunk works definition of skunk works by the free dictionary. Works and popularized by tom peters and nancy austin in their 1984 book a. Look up skunkworks in wiktionary, the free dictionary. The book tells of his first experiences at lockheed during the 1950s. May 20, 2016 long story short, smell played a role thereafter, because the lockheed facility was next to another plant that emitted fumeslike a skunk. Refers to a project in development by a small group of people mainly for innovation. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your first box. Skunkworks album, heavy metal album by bruce dickinson. Despite that variety, all skunk works face similar issues. Skunk definition for englishlanguage learners from. It is responsible for a number of aircraft designs, including the u2, the lockheed sr71 blackbird, the lockheed f117 nighthawk, lockheed martin f22 raptor, and the lockheed martin f35 lightning ii, which are used in the air forces of. The name is derived from a mysterious, foulsmelling skonk oilbrewing facility called the skonk works in the comic strip lil abner by. Nov 29, 2011 skunkworks refers to advanced development projects that are sometimes topsecret such as black projects in technology, business and aerospace engineering. From the development of the u2 to the stealth fighter, skunk works is the true story of americas most secret and successful aerospace operation.
By the middle of the 21st century the only companies with skunk works will be the ones that have failed to master continuous innovation. Skunk works is an official trademark for the lockheed martin advanced development programs formerly lockheed advanced development projects skunkworks or skunk works may also refer to skunkworks album, heavy metal album by bruce dickinson skunkworks project, a project typically developed by a small and loosely structured group of people who research and develop a project. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Skunk works definition and meaning collins dictionary. The name is derived from a mysterious, foulsmelling skonk oilbrewing facility called the skonk works in the comic strip lil abner by al capp. This definition explains the meaning of skunkworks project skunk works and why this approach led to spectacular breakthroughs in the past but may not be the best way to innovate today. With the main source of ivan ostholms book, several. A personal memoir of my years at lockheed reprint by janos, leo, rich, ben r. Skunk works is responsible for a number of famous aircraft designs, including the u2, the sr71, the f117, and the f22. The term originated with lockheeds world war ii skunk works project. Skunk works pdf as i noted in the first edition of this book, skunk works was the result of. The author describes the varied events that occurred and projects that were undertaken at lockheeds aerospace development wing. Skunk works definition, engineering, technical, consulting, and advisory services with respect to designing, building, equipping, and testing commercial and.
Skunkworks teams develop tasks efficiently with nominal management limitations. Skunkworks project, a project typically developed by a small and loosely structured group of people who research and develop a project primarily for the sake of innovation. Typically the projects involve something of value to the future but are not. Benjamin robert rich june 18, 1925 january 5, 1995 was an american engineer and the second director of lockheeds skunk works from 1975 to 1991, succeeding its founder, kelly johnson. Typically referring to projects for software or electronics that are sometimes developed in secrecy, the term was derived from the lockheed martin advanced development program skunk works and popularized by tom peters and nancy austin in their 1984. Over the years, the skunk works division in palmdale, california, was given a more official moniker, lockheeds advanced development programs, but its mission remained unchanged. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. Skunkworks refers to advanced development projects that are sometimes topsecret such as black projects in technology, business and aerospace engineering. As recounted by ben rich, the operations brilliant boss for nearly two decades, the chronicle of lockheeds legendary skunk works is a drama of cold war. Skunk works definition is used for research and development services. Something that is fixed with little to no materials, usually incorrectly, by someone of low intelligence.
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