BUREAUCRACY: Slippery Situation

There were too many pratfalls in the Pentagon's terrazzo and waxed corridors. The complaints were duly referred through channels to the General Services Administration, Department of Buildings Management. Naturally, the situation called for a survey. That called for special equipment. So the matter was referred to the National Bureau of Standards, Division of Research and Development. There a machine was built, and labeled "Sigler Pendulum Impact Type Slipperiness Tester."

This device, designed to "determine the coefficient of friction which is an index of relative slipperiness," was delivered to the General Services...

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