Murphy's Laws

[T C Wheeler]

Actually, when you get right down to it, Murphy (whoever he was) did
not formulate the 'laws'.  They were postulated by engineers and
others working at Redstone Arsenal during the early days of trials
with captured German rockets.  Murphy apparently was an engineer or
worker on the project who did not get things quite right, if he
actually existed at all.  The name became the butt of many jibes
and taunts at first.  Later, anytime something went wrong, which it
did with regularity on the project, Murphy was given the blame.  Thus,
a legend began to grow.  The original book on Murphy's Laws came out in 
the 50's and contained a biographical sketch of Dr. Murphy.  It was
hilarious.  The legend of Murphy grew and expanded over the years
and has become even better known than the once legendary Kilroy.
T. C. Wheeler