
135
14
A Stage of System
Evolution
Distribution Buildup
As we discussed in the previous chapter, the driving principle behind the
Early Growth phase is “more is better.” When it is not supported by massive
investments in Distribution, this principle eventually turns a recipe for suc-
cess into a recipe for disaster. That is, the more Tools, Sources, and Packaged
Payloads are added to the system, the more congested the Distribution
routes become. Initially, the problem can be solved by trafc optimization,
but sooner or later a major overhaul is required. As we discussed earlier,
Edison’s DC-based electricity system satised Early Growth in lighti ...