A national museum of engineering and industry

Abstract

Monday, August 17, may prove a memorable day in the history of the four National Engineering Societies. On that day the presidents and the secretaries of these societies met Mr. Samuel Insull at a luncheon given in his honor by our ex-president, Dr. John Lieb. It was a conference luncheon, and the subject of the conference was the endeavor of founding a National Museum of Engineering and Industries. This movement started sometime ago, and recently Mr. Insull accepted the invitation to steer its course. No ship ever stranded which had him for its helmsman. The secret of his success is principally due to his good judgment in the selection of his crew. The first question which Mr. Insull addressed, very informally, to the representatives of the four engineering societies was this: Is the proposed voyage worth while, and if it is, will your societies supply me with suitable candidates for a crew? The unanimous opinion was that the voyage is worth while, and that the National Engineering Societies will gladly supply him with men worthy of the honor to serve on his crew. Your president proposed two names from the rostrum of honor of the A. I. E. E. They are ex-presidents John Lieb and Frank B. Jewett. The presidents of the other three National Engineering Societies will make their recommendations in the near future, so that the good ship will start on its voyage of exploration as soon as Mr. Insull returns from his European trip, which will be about October first. The object of this exploration will be a search for a National Museum of Engineering and Industry.