John Glenn, the famous astronaut and politician, wrote about his history-making earth orbit flight, “As I hurtled through space, one thought kept crossing my mind: Every part of this rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder.” Today, we are all John Glenn.

The news about the 737 MAX has got me thinking about my own experience with the aerospace industry. There’s something cultural about the avionics and aerospace industries, the Defense Department and the FAA; they are impervious to ideas. The status quo cannot be unseated.

SMITHFIELD, PA—Boeing will expand its factory here, where the company makes complex electronic assemblies. Boeing expects to add 168 new jobs over the next three years, doubling the facility’s workforce.

LONG BEACH, CA—Shimadzu Precision Instruments Inc., which makes flight control systems, air management systems and cockpit display systems, will build a new assembly plant here.