Professor William Taubman, guest author, describes how, after the war, McNamara joined the "Whiz Kids" at Ford Motor Company, rising to become president through his mastery of data and safety innovations like seat belts. In 1960, he was recruited by the K

Professor William Taubman, guest author, describes how, after the war, McNamara joined the "Whiz Kids" at Ford Motor Company, rising to become president through his mastery of data and safety innovations like seat belts. In 1960, he was recruited by the Kennedy administration, initially resisting the call before accepting the role of Secretary of Defense on the condition that he could manage the Pentagon through meritocracy rather than politics. He became the star of the Kennedy cabinet, so admired that the brothers considered him a potential vice presidential or presidential candidate for 1968. McNamara at War: A New History (3)