Erich Kubak plot
Erich Kubak is the driver of an excavator at a lignite power plant. A technical error on the machine, which always leads to loss of production, causes problems. Erich tinkers with a solution, but it is not accepted by the chief engineer. Erich then tries again on his own and inflicts great damage. He is immediately fired as excavator driver. His son, who also works in the factory, tries to see if the chief engineer is really not interested in his father's proposal. They consult and together they are now working on an improvement. When Erich discovers this, he returns to the factory.