"the automation of heavy machinery enabled plants to operate continuously, increasing productivity and revenue. The downside was that any small hiccup was acutely felt, cascading through the production line. At first, it was assumed that inadequate lubrication of factory equipment was causing parts to seize up or break apart. And so, the Lubrication and Wear Group of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, along with the Iron"
"In attendance at the conference was Peter Jost, an engineer from the British iron, steel, and tinplate production plant Richard Thomas and Baldwins. Conveniently, one of Jost's acquaintances, Bertram Vivian Bowden, Baron Bowden, had recently become the UK's Minister of State for Education and Science. Jost relayed the findings to Lord Bowden and suggested that the newly established Ministry of Technology look into the matter further. When Lord Bowden's inquiries"
Spirited debates at a 1964 Cardiff conference addressed extreme production delays caused by malfunctioning equipment at UK iron and steel plants. Automation in the twentieth century enabled continuous operation, boosting productivity and revenue, but made small hiccups cascade across production lines. Initial investigations blamed inadequate lubrication, prompting the Lubrication and Wear Group and the Iron and Steel Institute to convene engineers and industry representatives. Examination of equipment-failure photos from the United Kingdom, United States, and Germany revealed that equipment design, not lubrication, caused failures. Older designs could not withstand continuous operation regardless of lubrication. Engineer Peter Jost informed Lord Bowden, who pursued action when ministries did not respond.
Read at Big Think
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]