MT Magazine July/August 2022

JULY/AUGUST 2022

13

Metal Removal

Quality Assurance

Additive Manufacturing

Machine Components / Cleaning / Environmental

Gear Generation

IMTS 2022: History in the Making Why being in Chicago between Sept. 12 and 17 continues the tradition of technical development and deployment. On May 1, 1893, the World’s Columbian Exposition opened in Chicago. It was an international event with the participation of 46 countries. (Oddly, the event was meant to mark the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America; it was a year off). There were more than 65,000 exhibits containing more than 50,000 objects (which are now in The Field Museum). The exposition was spread out on 630 acres. It ran until Oct. 31. Therewere a few interesting things on display. Like the Ferriswheel. It was invented by G.W.G. Ferris, a Pittsburgh-based engineer. The Ferris wheel at the World’s Columbian Exposition was 264 feet, taller than the one you can ride today at the Chicago Navy Pier, and each of its 36 cars could hold 60 people each – clearly a considerable feat of engineering and manufacturing. More notably, there was electricity. In 1893 it was a novelty to many people in the country. So, the exposition was wired: U.S. President Grover Cleveland pushed a button, and that kicked off the generation of electricity for thousands of lightbulbs across the exposition as well as for electrical appliances shown in some of the exhibits. BY GARY S. VASILASH CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Abrasive Machining / Sawing / Finishing

Automation & Robotics

Tooling & Workholding Systems

Fabricating & Lasers

Controls & CAD-CAM