Well, I guess I am too tired to reply fully. Thanks for reminding me of Demings.
I am off for my "chemo" now. You see, I am a bit of a pioneer. We are working to cure and reverse the effects of Multiple Sclerosis. I, myself, am fighting to stay out of a wheel chair. If my responses seem a bit irritated, I apologize. If you are so inclined,
http://www.bostoncure.com is looking for volunteers.
This is an interesting conversation. Perhaps, when I am well again, we could continue this over a beer -- though I am a scotch and cigar type myself.
BTW, Lee Deforest thought he invented the "audion" or triode. He didn't understand how it worked. Armstrong, the "Father of FM" derived the equations. Regarding the transistor, there is a bunch of old folks at AT&T that would strongly refute your assertion; as with the Integrated Circuit and the folks at Fairchild.
Peace