Thread by @techleadrs

In 1995, Bezos went to Home Depot, bought a wooden door for $60, added four legs, and called it a desk.

This story seems almost mythical in a company now worth $1.6 Trillion.

But it gets better...🧵

The original door desks were not well-constructed:
They were wobbly and required cardboard underlays to stabilize them.

Employee #5 Nico Lovejoy notably said "You would never want to hire Jeff Bezos as a carpenter"

The door desk later became deliberately symbolic.

Netflix's first CEO Marc Randolph recalled Bezos saying it was a "deliberate message" about spending money only on things that affect customers.

The desks became an official symbol of Amazon's frugality as a core value.

Modern versions of door desks are still used across Amazon offices

Bezos himself still uses a door desk, as recently confirmed by his fiancée Lauren Sanchez in 2024

Despite the rumor, Amazon doesn't have a dedicated team that makes door desks.

But think about this? $130 per desk vs $600 for standard office desks. Annual savings?

For Bezos, the real value isn't financial

Every desk is a daily reminder: Innovation doesn't come from comfort

The door desk has become deeply embedded in Amazon's culture:

• It's now used as a symbol for the "Door Desk Award" recognizing frugal innovations
• The practice continues even though Amazon can afford conventional furniture, as evidenced by Bezos' $500 million yacht

In 2023, some Amazon offices still use door desks, not because they can't afford Herman Miller, but because symbols shape culture.

The best company values don't come from consultants or workshops.

They come from authentic moments that tell a larger truth about the company.

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