Book · 2013 · History
Skunk Works
A Personal Memoir of My Years of Lockheed
- mentions
- 13
- people
- 7
- podcasts
- 4
- episodes
- 5
- critical mentions
- 0
I mean it's yeah just been Rich's book and so on just tells the story it's never I can just reading it if you're an engineer it's reads like a thriller.
Lex Fridman · Lex Fridman Podcast · Aug 2019 Listen at 1:05:49 What they say about it
- Recounts personal influence“very influential was Skunk Works”2
- Details the authors and subjects“written by Ben Rich”2
The best things said about it
For me personally, very influential was Skunk Works by Ben Rich.
I read several books on Lockheed Martin recently my favorite in particulars by Ben rich called skunkworks personal memoir.
Lex Fridman Lex Fridman Podcast · Aug 2019 There is a wonderful book there are a bunch of wonderful books around Lockheed but a book titled Skunk Works that was written by Ben Rich who was Kelly's second in command for a long time at Skunk Works.
I was reading Skunk Works, I'm like, oh yeah, so many of these principles they sound like Silicon Valley principles.
Where and when it comes up
Most mentions, by podcast
7 people who brought it up
Why people recommend it
Skunk Works by Leo Janos and Ben R. Rich chronicles the legendary Lockheed Martin advanced development programs division responsible for pioneering aircraft like the U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird. On The Pragmatic Engineer podcast, Bryan Cantrill recommended the book as a deeply influential account of what engineering teams can accomplish when given ambitious tasks. On the Acquired podcast, Ben Gilbert similarly recommended the volume, describing it as the Top Gun of historical autobiographies written by Ben Rich, who served as Kelly Johnson's longtime second-in-command. Lex Fridman also praised the book on the Lex Fridman Podcast, noting that for any engineer, reading it feels like an exciting thriller. Throughout these discussions, hosts highlighted iconic anecdotes, such as Ben Rich's first day seeing the U-2 prototype, and explored how Kelly Johnson's small team set enduring standards for rapid aerospace innovation. On the Cheeky Pint podcast, Keller Cliffton cited Skunk Works as an inspiring historical example of rapid iteration and bold problem-solving. Together, these podcast references emphasize the book's status as a timeless masterclass in leadership, organizational efficiency, and engineering excellence that continues to inspire modern technical teams across diverse industries.
Every mention
Ben Gilbert there is a wonderful book there are a bunch of wonderful books around Lockheed but a book titled Skunk Work… 6
“there is a wonderful book there are a bunch of wonderful books around Lockheed but a book titled Skunk Works that was written by Ben Rich who was Kelly's second in command for a long time at Skunk Works”
“there's this amazing quote in Skunk Works this is Ben Rich talking Kelly once said that unless he had the hell scared out of him”
“so I want to read a little quote from the Skunk Works book that primitive Skunk Works operation set the standards for What followed”
“so I'm gonna read a little more from Skunk Works here so Kelly and his handful of Bright Young designers”
“no there's this great quote in Skunk Works where Ben Rich tells the story of his first day in Skunk Works where he's shown the U2 prototype”
“in fact at least according to Ben rich in Skunk Works they could only produce about 25 of the thrust required so Ben leads a team that Engineers the spike Inlet system”
Lex Fridman I mean it's yeah just been Rich's book and so on just tells the story it's never I can just reading it if y… 2
“I read several books on Lockheed Martin recently my favorite in particulars by Ben rich called skunkworks personal memoir”
“I mean it's yeah just been Rich's book and so on just tells the story it's never I can just reading it if you're an engineer it's reads like a thriller”
Austin Louden I recently read Skunk Works by Ben Rich which is about the engineering team at Lockheed Martin um kind of d… 1
“I recently read Skunk Works by Ben Rich which is about the engineering team at Lockheed Martin um kind of during a period of very critical years uh you know they worked on the SR71 Blackbird”
Bryan Cantrill for me personally um very influential was skunk works by Ben Rich. So about the the the history of skunk wo… 1
“for me personally um very influential was skunk works by Ben Rich. So about the the the history of skunk works. Um Clarence Kelly Thompson was the with kind of the originator”
David Rosenthal I was reading Skunk Works I'm like oh yeah so many of these principles they sound like Silicon Valley princ… 1
“I was reading Skunk Works I'm like oh yeah so many of these principles they sound like Silicon Valley principles”
Keller Cliffton Like what really inspires me, you know, is you think about like Skunk Works, right? And like the teams that… 1
“Like what really inspires me, you know, is you think about like Skunk Works, right? And like the teams that built a lot.”
Keoki Jackson I'll stick to what's in been Rich's but obviously the geometry of how radar gets reflected and the kinds of… 1
“I'll stick to what's in been Rich's but obviously the geometry of how radar gets reflected and the kinds of materials that either reflect or absorb arcum kind of a couple of the critical elements there”