On a winter day at the end of 1950, metallurgist Eric W. Smith from the British Iron Company was walking along a woodland path in Sheffield, collecting horse manure to fertilize his tomato garden. Suddenly, he noticed another person ahead also picking up horse manure. They both coincidentally sat on the same bench, each carrying a scoop and a tarpaulin bag.
They began to chat about their pipes, and Smith offered some tobacco, but the other person politely declined, stating he smoked his own brand. At that moment, both realized something unusual was about to happen.
"My last name is Smith," said Smith.
"Mine too, I'm also a Smith," the other replied.
"I'm Eric Smith," the first Smith continued.
"I'm also Eric Smith," the second Smith responded.
"Eric W. Smith," the first Smith added.
"So am I," said the second Smith.
"My W stands for Walzer," the first Smith explained.
"Oh, now we are different; my W stands for Walter," the second Smith corrected.
