Compasses and direction

I have two compasses on my desk. One belonged to my father, and came from a WW2 plane of a type he used to fly.  It therefore has symbolic value that is close to home.  The other is a US airplane compass from the same era.

The British made compass is light, delicate, made up of dozens of tiny parts, cunningly constructed, but not built to last. The manufacturers seemed to know that the planes they put these into would not be flying for very long before meeting their demise.

The American made compass is heavy, practical, easy to use, and still functions perfectly 65 years later. The paint is superior, too. All the numbers are readable still.

British equipment conveys the message that the individual is not important, and that the task is.  One is expected to get things done well with less than optimal apparatus, and achieving this is the essence of stiff-upper lip courage.

The American equipment seems to say, in every way, that you, the user, are important and trusted to get the job done right. And here is the device that will help you do it well, no matter how dangerous the task.

The second attitude seems, somehow, more respectful, don't you think?