About the Author:
Gordon Griffin was born just outside London, England in 1930. During the Depression, the family had little to give their five children so, at age seven, Gordon started going door to door selling broken orange crates for firewood. During World War II, he was evacuated to Wales (1939-1943) and placed with various foster families. There he sold his coat in order to raise the money to return home. Government School in those days terminated at age 12. By age 13, Gordon, like other boys his age, went to work. His first job was as an office boy for Cable and Wireless. After hours, he made earrings and bracelets that he sold to the secretaries. He knew that he wanted to have his own business, but he also knew that, to have a real business, he had to have some money as capital. In 1947, Gordon enlisted in the British Army for four years, planning, during that time, to save up a “tidy bit.” At the same time, he was wondering what sort of business to have. Should he rent boats on the Thames? Sell Tiger Balm ointment? During a three-month leave in 1953, while helping a farmer with the hay, he found a large edible mushroom in the field. He picked it and gave it to the farmer’s wife, who was delighted to receive it. She told Gordon there was a man nearby who grew mushrooms for a living. Would he like to meet him? The long and short of it was, that he ending up building a mushroom farm. Five years later, he and his wife had the opportunity to sell their farm and emigrate to Tasmania, Australia, where they started their farm anew. Some 12 years later, he had the opportunity to emigrate to the United States and build a mushroom farm in Fillmore, Utah, that is still operational today. Along the way, Gordon invented a composting machine for the Mushroom Industry, and patented twenty or so other inventions. He has written a book about inventing, called The Survivor Manual for Inventors, published by John Wiley in 1991. He purchased land in both Tasmania and Utah, starting his own land development company, called Devon Dee Inc. Finally he partnered with others in acquiring mining rights to a volcano in Fillmore Utah. “Do you know anyone who owns a volcano?” he likes to ask. Lava rock from the mine is sold for various purposes (see www.RedDome.com). Gordon calls this book “a labor of love.” He has a passion for helping others become financially successful. He says, "I wish you all success!"
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.