History and Heritage committees within ASME sections and technical communities are encouraged to consider compiling a booklet or brochure (possibly illustrated) that will be a directory of objects and sites of mechanical engineering interest in their vicinity or within an industry. This publication primarily would serve local and visiting ASME members and friends, but it will be useful to the History and Heritage Committee and to the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) of the National Park Service. HAER is interested in documenting a comprehensive knowledge of engineering works and objects throughout the United States.

Starting Out 

When you start involving yourself in the subject, first consider the most obvious beacons of the past, things that are there for all to see and for all to appreciate if they will. The second phase will deal with the more abstract or subtle aspects of history, of which there are many.

The first undertaking is an inventory of things and places that the local domain or industry has to offer. It means the identification — discovery, perhaps — of items of mechanical engineering interest, and the collection of these items in a unique catalog. The initial coverage should be very broad to ensure that no item is missed; it is always easier to get data while the opportunity is there. Then, if on subsequent evaluation and comparison the item does not measure up, it can always join the dead file that is part of a complete inventory. On the other hand, some of these finds may qualify as landmarks, sites, or collections.

When your inventory reaches two or three dozen items, it may then be time to publish a preliminary list, giving a very brief description and a location. Note the accessibility of the item, with contacts, and what arrangements need to be made before visiting it.

Booklets 

After the preliminary list has been in use for a time, you probably will want to revise it, add pictures, and put the whole thing into an attractive, but still inexpensive package. A pocket-size piece is appreciated by the traveler. The actual format of the booklet may vary widely, from two or three photocopied pages to a printed brochure with several illustrations. Copies of booklets and brochures should be sent to the ASME staff liaison in New York. If a directory of the locality would be useful to local members, friends, and visitors, consider printing an inexpensively produced booklet that contains travel details. Expenses for reproduction will be nominal and should be met by the Division, Section, or Region.

Photographic Record 

Photographs of recorded items are of great value and fortunately most people have some camera experience or a knowledgeable friend. Nevertheless, all too often (especially on a first site visit) conditions may be far from ideal because of inadequate light, debris and dirt, and the frustrations caused by distance and angle.

The photo work might be considered in two stages. In the first pass, any camera (probably with flash) will do for black and white pictures. Later, if the project has been judged worth pursuing, better camera work is in order. Here, when dealing with a company or firm, its public relations people probably can get the best possible and most flattering shots with versatile equipment.

Scale should always be kept in mind. The viewer should be given something familiar to relate to. Thus, in a photo of a large machine the inclusion of a human figure is much more informative than a bare statement in a caption that the object is reproduced one-tenth size or has a height of 15 feet. Actual numbers are significant and of paramount value, but the visualization of size by a familiar gage, such as a person, is extremely helpful for a first impression. For small pieces of equipment a white-painted foot-long stick, or even a mechanical pencil (usually 5 inches long), will serve to indicate size.

Sample Inventory List 

The following offers suggestions and a checklist for inventorying mechanical engineering objects and technical history material. This list is incomplete, for each project will have special features requiring special handling. Here is a starter list of things. Additional items culled from your experience will be received happily by the History and Heritage Committee (as a general query regarding its significance).  Sample form available.

To note:

Item name

Exact location

Name of local contact

Description* and date(s) of item

Size

Housed or not?

Condition

Availability of plant documents

Local write-ups, handouts, etc.

Pictures or postcards

*If there is a nameplate, it should be copied in its entirety and photographed if possible.

Supplies:  notebook; cross-section paper and pencil; measuring tape, chalk, and flashlight; camera; shoulder bag