We are surrounded by machines that perform some tasks for us every day. Some of them, like the generator supplying the electricity you’re using right now, never stop. All sorts of machines must be made with precise measurements to operate reliably and safely, from the pop-top on a can of seltzer to the rockets that launch satellites in space. So how did we learn to measure and build with such accuracy?

We’ll explore the long and fascinating journey of the people developing methods and tools needed to build with precision. Participants will gain an understanding how various inventions motivated the need for precision, such as the steam engine, automobiles, jet engines and lenses to name a few. We’ll also look into the lives of the individuals who worked to develop the methods needed to build these machines.

Format: Participants will read one or two chapters (about 40 pages) each class. Each person will make a presentation on a topic from the chapter and lead a lively discussion. The presentation may be about a specific invention or process, the historical background, or about the individual’s efforts in developing the invention. We’ll also have two guest speakers who have extensive experience in the field of metrology.

Resources/Expenses: The text, The Perfectionist: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World by Simon Winchester, is available in paperback for about $15.00, on Amazon.