Can We Talk About Bricks for a Moment? Seriously.

Ever paused to consider the humble brick? I mean, why would you? But here's a fun fact: sometimes, it's the most commonplace items that teach us profound lessons. Enter Anna Keichline, the first woman architect licensed in Pennsylvania. Here we had an industry where men had been crafting bricks in the same, traditional way for eons. And then Anna, perhaps because she had a perspective that was often sidelined due to her gender, took one look at the brick and thought, "We can do better."

By making subtle alterations, she crafted a brick that was just as resilient but much lighter. Counterintuitive? Heck, yes. Brilliant? Undoubtedly. It's these kinds of innovations that I genuinely admire. It's not just about the grit or skill, but it's about proving the status quo wrong. It's about looking at something everyone else sees daily and asking, "Why not differently?"

So, bricks and DevOps. What's the connection? When you're navigating the intricate world of systems design, automation scripts, and intricate pipelines, it's so darn easy to neglect a basic, yet pivotal question: "What can I remove?"

You remember that time I tried to whip up an 'ultimate' smoothie, and it went spectacularly sideways? Right. Sometimes, less is more.

In systems design, it's dangerously tempting to pile on, mistaking more for better. But Anna's bricks? They tell us another story. They hint at the power of rethinking, of stripping away the unnecessary, and achieving an elegant efficiency.

So, for my fellow DevOps enthusiasts, perhaps it's a nudge to reassess. Is every tool pulling its weight? Is there a step in the dance that feels out of rhythm? Can we embrace Anna Keichline's ethos, trim the fluff, and still ensure we're rock solid?

Innovation isn't just about adding bells and whistles. It's about focusing, refining, and often, bravely letting go. And sometimes, the most groundbreaking innovations come from those who, by virtue of being different, see the world through a unique lens. Anna Keichline's legacy with the bricks we use today proves just that.

Isn't life filled with such delightful quirks? A woman, a brick, and a lesson in breaking the mold. Quite the trio, don't you think?

Sources:

National Women's History Museum: Anna Keichline

Pioneering Women of American Architecture: Anna Wagner Keichline