Continuing with the historical sampling of the earlier writings on behalf of the Rochester Engineering Society, the years following "The Great War", into and through the “Great Depression”, continued to be a time of reaching out for the maturing Society, both locally and nationally. The meeting minutes describe a series of technical discussions and presentations intended to broaden the technical horizons of the membership (especially the CE's, ME's and EE's). The RES affiliated itself with a number of National technical societies, adopted local Affiliated Societies, frequently held joint meetings with them and continued taking action on a growing list of public matters. Certain issues of standardization, some crucial to public safety, became the responsibility of the RES and its affiliates. In the pervasive economic downturn of the “Great Depression”, the magazine offered classified advertising for unemployed engineers, technicians and draftsmen and took other steps to try to deal with the crisis. Still, it continued its effort to shape the function, purpose and infrastructure of the City of Rochester, and beyond. World War, again affected the Society, taking away many of its leaders while providing opportunities for others to step forward to fill these vacancies. In an effort to provide even greater perspective on the happenings and concerns of the day, a synopsis, featuring selected items from "The Rochester Engineer" has become an integral part of this series. The Second World War and the Korean Conflict are now history, and the Vietnam War has recently become a focal point. These experiences have changed the face and, no doubt, the future of the community. The Rochester municipal leadership and the industrial community have become immersed in the cold-war, growth economy.
“The Rochester Engineer” (September 1972) The announced September, season-opening, RES evening meeting featured a buffet dinner at the Rochester Training Academy, on Scottsville Rd. Co-sponsored by the RES, ASCE, ASM, AIPE, CSI, CEC, MPES and the ASSE, this was followed by a full-scale demonstration by City Firemen, under the direction of Fire Commissioner John F. Hurley and Deputy Chief, William Pietsch. It was announced that RES President, Edwin Anthony, would deliver his inaugural address, “What’s Next for the RES?” at the season-opening, October 4th, RES luncheon meeting, at the Chamber of Commerce.
October 11, 1972 (Board Meeting, Chamber of Commerce) The Board approved five applications for Regular Membership. The Board entertained a motion that the RES endorse the November 7, 1972 passage of the Environmental Quality Bond Act. After much discussion among those present (four Board Members were absent), it was decided to put this important action before the entire Board. This resulted, subsequently, in a 13 to 4 passage of this resolution by the RES Board. Howard Beers of the RES Career Guidance Committee announced that the RES Explorer Post would begin activities with a meeting at Pfaudler Company, and that, having no resources of its own, there should be modest funding provided in the RES Budget. The Education Committee reported that a mock trial on the topic of Product Safety would be held in conjunction with the Monroe County Bar Assn., at Valley Echo. The Engineers’ Week Committee announced that Dr. Henry Diamond, NYS Commissioner of Environmental Conservation had been invited to be the February 22, 1973, event’s Key Note Speaker. RES Director, James D. Row, reported that recent attacks on the Operation RESOURCE Report at public meetings seemed to indicate that the Report had not been thoroughly read and understood. Consequently, two groups had been formed to respond to these criticisms. George A. Hammond, reporting for the RES Civic Affairs Committee, announced that Edward Maybeck was working on updating the local building codes, RES Member Richard N. Blazey was serving on the Genesee Regional Health Planning Council, RES Member Victor F. Vinkey was representing the RES on a commission to revise the City of Rochester Zoning Ordinances and RES Secretary Dr. Richard A. Kenyon was initiating a long-range study of regional transportation.
“The Rochester Engineer” (October 1972) In an article, “The Status of the City of Rochester vs. NYS Building Codes”, RES Building Codes Committee Chairman, Edward Maybeck, PE, reported that his Committee had recommended that Rochester should retain its own building codes, and not adopt the State Building Code. The reason given for this recommendation included: maintenance of “home rule”, the Rochester Code is a good code, slowness of action by the NYS Codes Bureau, Rochester could amend its code to agree, in part with the NYS Building Code, where there is a conflict between the two. Announced recent additions to the RES Luncheon Series included: “The Mt. Morris Dam vs. Hurricane Agnes”, by Col. Robert L. Moore, District Engineer for US Army Corps. of Engineers, “Our Environment – What We’re Doing About Preserving It”, by Eric Seiffer, Regional Engineer for Environmental Quality and Howard F. Christensen, Monroe County Director of Solid Waste.
November 8, 1972 (Board Meeting, Chamber of Commerce) The Board approved applications for three Regular Members. RES Luncheon Series Chairman, John Robertson, announced the completion of scheduling for the 1972-73 season, and the establishment of a “season ticket” for the eight luncheons, at $12.50 per person, for the entire series. RES Director James D. Row announced that a presentation on “Operation RESOURCE” had been schedule for the Monroe County Public Works Committee. Further, he stated that RES Member, William F. Kaiser, had been named Chairman of a special public relations committee charged with increasing public awareness and understanding of the “Operation RESOURCE” Report. It was further stated that, “contacts with the press, or other public groups should be cleared through him and RES President Anthony, and that any public utterance of positions on behalf of the Society will be presented for Board approval, before issuance.” On behalf of the RES Education Committee, Chairman Roger Kober announced that RIT would be offering two evening courses; “Effective Reading” and “Reviewing Engineering Mathematics”. He also reported on RES Explorer Post activities, recommending that members of the Post receive complimentary copies of “The Rochester Engineer”, that past and future activities of the Post be regularly reported in the RES magazine, and that the Post members be invited, annually, to an RES meeting to receive certificates of participation. RES Director Roger Kober further reported that the RES Explorer Post Counselors and the Treasurer were assembling a list of expenses for submittal to the RES, toward establishing an annual budget line-item for the RES Explorer Post’s operation.
Subsequent articles in this series will describe the RES' continuing outreach to other technical societies as it considered its role in this and the larger community, along with more of the activities of the RES as it moved to be of greater service to its membership, especially those suffering from current economic crises, and adopted a greater role in shaping the future of the City and its environs. Noted also, will be the contributions made by RES members in the struggle to meet the challenges coming out of World War II and the Korean Conflict, as well as a period of post-war growth and prosperity. These articles will also feature an impressive array of RES activities in support of post-war re-emergence of Rochester area industry, and the ensuing prosperity of the second-half of the 20th Century.
We welcome your questions and comments on this series.
The Board approved applications for eight new Regular Members, one Associate Member, two Junior Members and two Student Members. The Board also approved petitions from the Rochester Conference of Standards Laboratories and the Association for Computing Machinery as the newest RES Affiliates. It was reported that George S. Beinetti, President of Rochester Telephone Corporation, had accepted an invitation to speak at the RES Annual Meeting on June 7th, at RIT.
George S. Beinetti, was named “1971 Rochester Engineer of the Year,” and presented with the traditional, engraved, hand-wrought silver bowl, at the April 26th, 1972 Engineers Joint Dinner, at the Downtown Holiday Inn. The featured speaker at this event was Robert W. Decker, Vice President – Manufacturing, General Motors Corporation. His address was entitled, “Advancing Technology.” It was something of a “Homecoming” for Mr. Decker who, earlier his career (1957 – 63), had served as General Manager of the Rochester Products Division of GM. Dr. H. Searl Dunn, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the U of R spoke on a proposed system for low-emission automobile using hydraulic accumulators at the April 12th RES luncheon. Working with Dr. Paul Wojciechowki, Research Engineer at Alliance Tool & Die, Dr. Searl’s system uses a relatively small engine, only a fraction of the size of a conventional automobile engine, with an “energy accumulator” to provide surges of power, when needed. Editor’s note: This resembles, in principle, the Ford Escape “Hybrid” SUV’s of the 2000’s, with its four-cylinder gasoline engine-generator, feeding a battery pack (“energy accumulator”), which then drove an electric motor, connected directly to the front wheels. As a special observance of its 75th Anniversary, the RES co-sponsored (with the League of Women Voters) a “Transportation Meeting” in which the luncheon speaker, Ann Uccello, former Mayor of Hartford, CT and now US Director of Consumer Affairs, conducted a public hearing in which participants were invited to express their viewpoints. As yet another part of its 75th Anniversary celebration, the RES co-sponsored, with the Rochester Patent Law Association (Who says Engineers and Lawyers can’t get along?), a luncheon presentation, “The Patent Law Office in a Changing World” by Robert Gottschalk, recently-appointed US Commissioner of Patents. This issue also presented a slate of RES officers for 1972-73 including: President - Edwin L. Anthony, PE, Erdman and Anthony, 1st Vice President – Mark H. Sluis, PE, General Railway Signal Corporation, 2nd Vice President, John F. Schickler, Rochester Products Division of General Motors Corporation, Secretary - John D. Cooper, PE, Rochester Telephone Corporation, Treasurer – Howard R. Jaquith, Taylor Instrument Companies, Directors – James A. Richardson, Eastman Kodak Company, Roger W. Kober, RG&E, Dr. Myron Tribus, Xerox Corporation. Continuing as Directors - Dr. Richard A. Kenyon, George G. Landberg and John M. Walsh.
Concerned that the cost of publication of the Operation RESOURCE final report (three volumes) would be burdensome on the Society’s finances, the Board approved a motion to charge $25 per copy to the general public. RES Member, Victor Vinkey had agreed to represent the Society on the City of Rochester’s Commission to revise the current Municipal Zoning Ordinance. Reporting for the Membership Committee, G. Robert Leavitt presented applications for eight new Regular Members, one Associate Member, two Junior Members and one Student Member. In addition, a petition for the Rochester Chapter of the Optical Society of America to become the latest RES Affiliate was presented and approved. RES President, James A. Clark announced that the RG&E Men’s Chorus would be performing at the RES Annual Meeting, at RIT.
RES Executive Secretary, Norm Howden reported that he had recently received seven applications for RES Membership from the Admissions Committee, and rather than wait for the next regular Board meeting, he was conducting a “first time, ever” RES Postal Board Meeting. The Board subsequently approved, by mail, three Regular Members (including Lee M. Loomis), one Junior Member and three Student Members.
The Board approved a 5% salary increase for RES Executive Secretary, Norman Howden, to $14,385 per year, effective June 1, 1972.
Subsequent articles in this series will describe the RES' continuing outreach to other technical societies as it considered its role in this and the larger community, along with more of the activities of the RES as it moved to be of greater service to its membership, especially those suffering from current economic crises, and adopted a greater role in shaping the future of the City and its environs. Noted also, will be the contributions made by RES members in the struggle to meet the challenges coming out of World War II and the Korean Conflict, as well as a hoped-for period of post- war growth and prosperity. These articles will also feature an impressive array of RES activities in support of post-war re-emergence of Rochester area industry, and the ensuing prosperity of the second-half of the 20th Century.
RES Employment Committee Chair, Graham Chamberlain announced that a Rochester Area unit of Volunteer Engineers, Scientists and Technicians (R.A.V.E.S.T.) had been formed, and was being led by William Tippy, an RES Member and local consultant. A first meeting of this group, at Monroe Community College, was attended by approximately 150 unemployed engineers, seeking support in their current job searches. This group is being supported by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), under a contract from the US Dept. of Labor. Reporting for the RES Membership Committee, George Landberg announced goals for the coming year of 200 new members, fifteen Participating Companies and five new Affiliates. He also proposed holding a dinner for a selected group of Plant Representatives who will be responsible for recruiting new members in their respective places of work, and he presented the need for a new RES brochure, detailing the benefits of RES membership. The Board approved a budget of $550 for this project. Reporting for the 75th Anniversary Committee, John Schickler announced that they were hoping to solicit a total of $15k - $20k in support funding for this celebration, and they had recently received $7,500 from Eastman Kodak for this purpose. The Board approved seven new Regular Members, two Junior Members and one Student Member. On behalf of the “Operation RESOURCE” Task Force, Ed Anthony reported that they are drafting the final report with recommendations, including; establishment of combined City-County Solid Waste Management Team, acquisition, installation and operation of a shredder, hiring of a competent company to establish a dynamic plan for maximum recovery of resources from solid waste, and that the City & County proceed with recycling operations, a composing system or, if these are determined to be not feasible, an incinerator system. The Career Guidance Committee reported that the RES Explorer Post now has a forty-person enrollment, making it the largest in the region.
The RES Luncheon Series for the next four weeks was announced; “A Progress Report on Highway Safety” by W. Russell Laidlaw, Rochester Products Division of General Motors, “A Modular Traffic Signal Controller” by Jerome O’Neill, General Railway Signal Company, and,“How to Plan for a Human Community” by Stewart D. Moot, President, New Wayne Communities, Inc. For the first time in its fifty-year history, this issue provided a complete recounting of the proceedings of the most recent (as of printing time) RES Board meeting.
The Board approved the applications of fourteen new Regular Members and four Junior Members. The R.T. French Company was accepted by the Board, as an RES Participating Company. On behalf of the Membership Committee, George Landberg reported that fifteen Plant Representatives had attended a successful Membership Promotion dinner meeting at the University Club. A brochure was ready to be sent to the printer. The Board also approved motions to suspend, at six-month intervals, RES dues payment requirements for unemployed members and to offer a non-transferrable RES Luncheon ticket to each member, upon payment of their annual dues. RES Director, John Schickler reported that he had secured Robert W. Decker, Vice President of General Motors, to be the speaker at the RES 75th Anniversary Engineers’ Joint Dinner, on April 26th, 1972.
In April of 1972, the RES planned to present a multi-themed exhibit, “Technology Trip”, featuring sponsored displays with themes including: Transportation (W. Russell Laidlaw of Rochester Products/GM), Communication (John L. Wheeler of Xerox Corp.), Home (M. John Corson of RG&E), Health (Charles Hancock of Castle/Sybron) & Future (Walter Hausler of General Railway Signal). These displays were to be presented for three days, at Midtown Plaza. Two recent additions to the RES Luncheon meeting schedule included; “The World Trade Center” by Seymour Cohen, Tishman Realty & Construction Company and “Operation RESOURCE” by the RES Task Force on Solid Waste Management. An RES-sponsored evening seminar, “Motivation and Human Values” by Franklin C. Basler, Jr., Director of Rochester Downtown Ecumenical Ministry was announced. An article on the VEST Program announced that, as the result of the RES’ support, the Rochester Area Volunteer Engineers, Scientists and Technicians (RAVEST) was up and running, operating as a clearing house for job opportunities, especially focused on providing assistance to former employees of the US Aerospace Program.
The Board approved the applications of eight new Regular Members. Continued concern for the financial well-being of the Society, and the treasurer’s announcement that additional financing would be required, not-later-than the middle of the month, resulted in the approval of a motion authorizing the officers to sell any of the Society’s financial assets, toward reducing/eliminating current outstanding debt. The Board then approved a motion to consider reinvesting some/all of the Kate Gleason Fund, currently all held exclusively in Eastman Kodak common stock, toward increasing its yield. Chair of the Employment Committee Graham Chamberlain, and RES Executive Secretary Norm Howden presented plans to establish a unit of V.E.S.T. (Volunteer Engineers, Scientists and Technicians) to support re-employment of recently-discharged employees of the US Aerospace Program. (Editor’s note: At its peak in 1968, aerospace employment was 1.5 Million (including 235,000 engineers & scientists). By 1972 total employment in this industry had dropped to 917,000 (including 157,000 engineers & scientists). Led by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the VEST Program was a national effort to provide job search office space and travel/relocation grants to laid-off aerospace workers, for seeking and securing new employment. The Board approved up to $50 for sponsorship/implementation of this project by the Society. The Membership Committee announced plans to enlist the services of the Remington/Stockdale Agency to develop a membership recruitment brochure. RES Director Edwin Anthony reported on a recent meeting of the Operation RESOURCE leadership with Hercules Company, to review current and developing processes for reclamation of municipal waste materials. Mr. Anthony further reported that Mrs. Ann Nelson of Eco-Trans has requested that the RES participate in a study of the transportation requirements in the Rochester area. While the Board indicated general consent for this requested involvement, RES Director, Jack Corson, expressed a concern that the RES was becoming a “consulting organization.” RES Director George Landberg expressed the belief that the minutes of each RES Board meeting should be published in The Rochester Engineer toward keeping the membership informed of the actions of the Board.
Following extensive discussion of the financial status of the Society, the Board unanimously approved a motion to reduce the RES holdings in Eastman Kodak common stock, to 3,000 shares. The proceeds of this would then be used to completely retire the Society’s indebtedness, retain $5,000 as working capital, with the balance to be reinvested for optimum cash return. The Board then approved this action, unanimously.
“Some of the problems that we have today are too serious to wait much longer,” according to Eastman Kodak President, Gerald B. Zornow. Of today’s engineers, he said, “No group is better qualified to give definition to our dreams than the engineers, for they are equipped by ability and training to show us how far our dreams can go.” He further admonished, “And a corollary to this responsible assignment is the obligation to point out to us where the nightmares might be lurking.” He went on, “To those who voice apprehensions that ‘technology has gone too far’, it hasn’t gone far enough, for it has not yet served man as well as it can.” Anticipating a large crowd for Mr. Zornow’s address to the RES Luncheon at the Chamber of Commerce, reservations and advance ticket purchases, at $3, were encouraged. The title of his presentation was announced as, “The New Engineering: Giving Definition to the Dreams.” The 1972 RES Luncheon series was announced including; “Balanced Transportation – Needs and Effects” by Bernard F. Perry, PE, NYSDOT, “Artificial Blood Vessels” by Dr. Charles G. Rob, U of R School of Medicine, “Master Plan – Concepts and Constraints” by Don Martin, Monroe County Department of Planning, “Automobile Air Bag Restraint Systems” by Dr. John H. States, U of R School of Medicine.
The RES Finance Committee reported that, upon recommendation of the Executive Committee, 900 shares of Eastman Kodak had been sold, realizing $86,799.70, which was used to pay all debts of the Society, and the balance deposited into an interest-bearing account at Lincoln Rochester Trust Company. It was also reported that approximately one- third of this amount had been invested in convertible debentures of National Cash Register and Reynolds Metals Company, in anticipation of an approximate 6.2% annual yield.
Despite delays in reaching consensus within several of its sub- committees, the “Operation RESOURCE” Task Force presented its Interim Plan, in this issue. The key recommendation was the immediate procurement of industrial grade shredders, to be placed at the current solid waste transfer stations, or at strategically located points, so that only shredded trash would be transported to landfills. “Although the ultimate disposal plan adopted by the City and the County may make use of more sophisticated processes (incineration, pyrolosis, or composting, for example) the time that would be required to place any of these processes in operation precludes recommending any of them for a near-term solution”, the subcommittee said. The report continued, “Principle reasons for recommending shredding of solid waste include reduced objectionable odors, vermin & insects, fires, blowing of paper, volume reductions due to greater density of waste product, enhanced settling of landfill volume, and reduced requirement for landfill covering during off-hours.” On their way to making these recommendations, members of the subcommittee visited sites, and interviewed operating personnel, toward improving their understanding of the options for successfully dealing with municipal solid waste. Upcoming RES Luncheon programs were announced, including; “Who Voted How – And Maybe Why”, by Howard Hosmer, WHEC Channel 10 News, “Electro-Mechanical Shutters”, by Andrew W. Vincent, Vincent Associates, “Engineering and Engineering Education – Programs and Prospect for the Seventies”, by Dr. Richard A. Kenyon, Dean, RIT’s College of Engineering and Applied Science, and “The Impossible We Do Today”, by Dr. Erwin G. Lowen, Bausch & Lomb Corporation. This issue also reported that a 188 page report, “A Metric America – A Decision Whose Time Has Come”, by the US National Bureau of Standards, has recommended the creation of one Federal Agency to oversee this conversion, a project estimated to take approximately ten years to complete.
The Board heard a report from RES Director, John Schickler, Chair of the RES 75th Anniversary Committee. It included plans for a professionally-developed, three-day exhibition at Midtown Plaza, “Technology Trip”, showing how the goals of our society can be achieved through the successful application of engineering and technology. Normally held in February of each year, the annual RES Engineers Joint Dinner would instead be delayed and become the lead-off event in this April 27 – 29, celebration of the Society’s 75th Anniversary. The Board approved a budget of $20,000 for this event, to be recovered by donations from Rochester industries that employ engineers. Following a presentation to a group of Monroe County Legislators, Edwin Anthony reported that the final report on this operation would be delayed to early 1972. Mr. Anthony also reported that some 65 boys and their parents had attended a “special interest” meeting for this year’s RES Explorer Post, implying another successful year for this program. Reporting on the RES Luncheon Committee, Roger Kober announced that Eastman Kodak President, Jerry Zornow had tentatively agreed to speak at the January 1972 RES Luncheon, provided that he would be seen by an audience of at least 400 people. Roger Kober also remarked that several special measures, including advanced ticket sales, would have to be taken to ensure this level of attendance. Edwin Anthony reported that the City of Rochester was seeking candidates for Commissioner of Public Works, and that he wanted to form an ad hoc RES committee to interview City Manager Kermit Hill, and to review this appointment with him. By common consent, the Board approved the formation of such a committee.
“Delays in the presentation of the final report of 'Operation RESOURCE' should not occasion any dismay”, instead, the community has gained a feeling of satisfaction that a body of unbiased, competent professionals is now involved in the solution of the solid waste problem.” These are the words that accompanied the announcement that it would take a “few more weeks” to reach a solid waste disposal plan for the City and County that will be ecologically sound and economically feasible. An interim plan has been presented. The final, long-term plan will require even greater study, including built-in flexibility, to take advantage of new developments in the field of solid waste management. Meanwhile, it makes sense to continue to recycle all the materials for which recovery channels now exist, and are operating (paper, bottles & cans). New RES Luncheon presentations were announced; “Historic Waterways of New York State”, by Arnold Barben, President of the Canal Society of New York State, and, “Pure Waters for Monroe County”, by G. Richard Sutherland, Director, Monroe County Division of Pure Waters. The RES’ newest Affiliate, the Rochester Chapter of the American Institute of Plant Engineers was featured in this issue. Founded in 1915, in Boston, this organization has grown to 121 Chapters, with over 5,000 members. They have been instrumental in the nationwide development and adoption of municipal codes, the licensing of stationary engineers, air conditioning operation and sewer codes.
Subsequent articles in this series will describe the RES' continuing outreach to other technical societies as it considered its role in this and the larger community, along with more of the activities of the RES as it moved to be of greater service to its membership, especially those suffering from current economic crises, and adopted a greater role in shaping the future of the City and its environs. Noted also, will be the contributions made by RES members in the struggle to meet the challenges coming out of World War II and the Korean Conflict, as well as a hoped-for period of post- war growth and prosperity. These articles will also feature an impressive array of RES activities in support of post-war re-emergence of Rochester area industry.
The years following "The Great War," into and through the “Great Depression,” continued to be a time of reaching out for the maturing Society, both locally and nationally. The meeting minutes describe a series of technical discussions and presentations intended to broaden the technical horizons of the membership (especially the CE's, ME's and EE's). The RES affiliated itself with a number of National technical societies, adopted local Affiliated Societies, frequently held joint meetings with them and continued taking action on a growing list of public matters. Certain issues of standardization, some crucial to public safety, became the responsibility of the RES and its affiliates. In the pervasive economic downturn of the “Great Depression,” the magazine offered classified advertising for unemployed engineers, technicians and draftsmen and took other steps to try to deal with the crisis. Still, it continued its effort to shape the function, purpose and infrastructure of the City of Rochester, and beyond. World War again affected the Society, taking away many of its leaders while providing opportunities for others to step forward to fill these vacancies. In an effort to provide even greater perspective on the happenings and concerns of the day, a synopsis, featuring selected items from "The Rochester Engineer" has become an integral part of this series. The Second World War and the Korean Conflict are now history, and the Vietnam War has recently become a focal point. These experiences have changed the face and, no doubt, the future of the community. The Rochester municipal leadership and the industrial community have become immersed in the cold-war, growth economy.
This issue announced the cancelation of the Fall 1971 “Info Expo”, due to disappointing sales of booth space (the primary source of revenue for the event), probably due to the current nationwide, post-war economic downturn. Plans were announced to re-establish this event as an integral part of the observance of the Society’s 75th Anniversary, in early 1972. The RES announced a permanent change in the printing of The Rochester Engineer to adopt the use of 100% recycled paper, produced from STA (second time around) pulp that still contained inks and resins and clays from their prior uses. The pulp and paper industry was fond of saying that, “a ton of paper, recycled, is 17 trees saved.”
The Board approved three new applications; one Regular, one Junior and one Student. The Board heard the final report of the Interim Plan Subcommittee for “Operation RESOURCE”. The Board reviewed the plan and the proposal for its issuance to the public. RES 1st Vice President, Edwin Anthony announced that he had just been appointed to the Genesee Expressway Advisory Committee, recently established by the Monroe County Department of Public Works. He suggested that the RES, in light of its recent activities in the area of Solid Waste Management, might eventually be asked for input on issues Regional Transportation and Air Pollution. RES Director, John Schickler, reported that he would be following up on over 100 letters that were sent to local small businesses, offering them the opportunity for editorial space in The Rochester Engineer, in exchange for advertising contracts in the magazine. It was reported that the RES Luncheon program schedule had been completed, through the Fall, and that three short RES Evening Courses had been schedule for October and November.
The Board unanimously approved the ”Operation RESOURCE” Interim Plan Subcommittee’s Final Report, and urged that it be publicized as a statement of the Society’s position for the interim disposal of municipal solid waste, until such time as the Task Force’s final report and recommendations are issued and implemented.
As the final segment in this long-running series of articles on the RES Affiliates, this issue celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Rochester Section,
Illuminating Engineering Society. Formed in 1947, with an initial 34 members, the Rochester Section had grown to nearly 100 members, including five corporate sustaining members. The National Society, with more than 10,000 members, in some 100 Sections, sponsored meetings, seminars and presentations on the rapidly developing technologies in the field of indoor and outdoor lighting. The October RES Luncheon Series was announced; “How Deep the Freeze? - When the Thaw?”, by Frank E. Holley, Marine Midland Bank, “Urban Renewal in the Southeast Loop Area”, by Michael Houseknecht, City of Rochester Department of Urban Renewal, “The SOFLENS Story”, by William F. Coombs, Bausch & Lomb, and “The Port of Rochester”, by William A. Carr, Director of the Port of Rochester. Three short RES Evening Courses were announced, in cooperation with the NY State School of Industrial and Labor Relations of Cornell University; “Technology and Citizenship”, by Dr. Christopher Lindley, a current City Council Candidate, “Interpersonal Relations”, by Richard A. Wetzel, Xerox Corporation, and “Organizational Behavior”, Dr. Forrest W. Fryer, Xerox Corporation. In a special message to unemployed engineers, the RES invited unemployed engineers to complete a form that registered them for a re-orientation program to qualify them for re-employment in a different engineering discipline. If response was sufficient, the RES would proceed to initiate such a program in the greater Rochester area, at no cost to those enrolling.
The Board approved the Affiliate membership application of the Rochester Chapter, American Institute of Plant Engineers. One additional Regular Membership was also approved. RES Director, John Schickler, announced the rescheduling of “Info Expo” (postponed from November 1971) to April 27 – 29, 1972. Led by a larger, more “connected” committee, the three-day event would include exhibits, seminar programs and an RES 75th Anniversary Dinner. Edwin Anthony reported that there would be a delay in presenting the final report for “Operation RESOURCE”, due to difficulties in reaching total agreement on the findings of some of the sub-committees. RES Director, Roger Kober reported that RES Luncheon meeting attendance had been disappointing, and he was recommending that, instead of weekly, they be schedule on alternate weeks. The Board approved this change in scheduling, beginning in January of 1972.
Subsequent articles in this series will describe the RES' continuing outreach to other technical societies as it considered its role in this and the larger community, along with more of the activities of the RES as it moved to be of greater service to its membership, especially those suffering from current economic crises, and adopted a greater role in shaping the future of the City and its environs. Noted also, will be the contributions made by RES members in the struggle to meet the challenges coming out of World War II and the the Korean Conflict, as well as a hoped-for period of post- war growth and prosperity. These articles will also feature an impressive array of RES activities in support of post-war re-emergence of Rochester area industry.
“What You’ve Always Wanted to Know about Engineers (But Were Afraid to Ask)”, was the title of the RES Annual Meeting presentation by Dr. Lane H. Riland, Director of Psychological Research & Services, Eastman Kodak Company. This being the annual “RES Ladies’ Night” event, Dr. Riland’s address promised to include a psychological profile of the typical engineer, and the ramifications with regard to his roles (Editor’s note: Yes, that’s what the article says!) as practitioner, consultant, supervisor, subordinate – and husband! In the spirit of the RES’ recent “Operation RESOURCE” initiative, the first in a series of public forums, on May 10th, at Monroe Community College, was announced. The featured speaker, Pliny Fisk, inventor and founder of the Waste Conversion Foundation of Croton-on Hudson, was billed as a man to whom “every pollutant is a waste asset,” who claimed to have been working on sensible techniques for waste management for the past 24 years. His organization was currently building a waste conversion plant in Secaucus, NJ, “a fully-automated complex of machines which take sewage solids, unseparated garbage and rubbish and grinds them together. Then it separates inorganic parts, washes them for industrial use, and re-grinds the biodegradable into organic soil concentrate.” RES President, G. Robert Leavitt, announced that subsequent meetings would be focused on other processes and methods of waste management. It was announced that another meeting, this one on incineration, had been scheduled for May 20th, also at MCC.
The assembled membership heard a summary of the important contributions made by RES Past President, Dr. Edward Kirkpatrick, whose recent promotion to President of the Wentworth Institute, Boston, MA would be taking him away from Rochester, where he had been serving the academic and engineering communities for the past seven years. RES Director, George Landberg, then introduced Dr. Lane Riland of Eastman Kodak Company who delivered a witty and provocative presentation on the special qualities, and idiosyncracies, of engineers.
The Board approved six new applications for Regular Membership and three for Junior Membership. A proposal by Dr. Harry Sine of the Rochester Committee for Scientific Information, that the RES consider sponsoring an all-day symposium on successfully run solid waste landfills, received considerable discussion, following which the Board approved $750 in funding to support the inclusion of several experts on this subject.
In thanking the RES staff and membership for their efforts during the past year, outgoing President, G. Robert Leavitt pointed out some recent successes of the Society, including Operation RESOURCE, the upcoming Fall 1972 “Info Expo”, establishment of a very successful RES Explorer Post, and the continuing work of the Education Committee in bringing a variety of inspiring technical presentations to the Engineering Community. An article celebrating the life-long contributions of RES Executive Secretary O. Laurence Angevine to the Rochester Engineering Community also announced the establishment of a memorial fund in his honor. The RES announced the establishment of a relationship with the NYS Department of Labor and the California Department of Human Resources for the purpose of matching engineers, scientists and employers in the Rochester area with employment opportunities through the use of computers programmed for this purpose. Candidate Registration Forms for accessing this service would be available, upon request to the RES office, without regard to an individual’s RES membership status.
The Board approved four new Regular Membership applications, one upgrade from Junior Member and one Associate Membership. Disappointing sales of booth space to local commerce and industry, despite consultation with several local public relations and advertising agencies, caused the Executive Committee to recommend the postponement of the Fall 1971 “Info Expo” to next year, 1972, the RES’s 75th Anniversary. The Board also approved the establishment of a $500 discretionary fund for use by the Planning Committee. A progress report by the Civic Affairs Committee on the status of Operation RESOURCE included the announcement that they would be making a preliminary presentation to the Monroe County Environmental Management Council on September 15th, in advance of the planned November 11th public presentation and recommendation. There was much discussion, in which concern was expressed that the RES must make it clear that the Society is NOT in competition with consulting engineering firms. It was emphasized that the RES would continue to work with ANY consulting firm engaged by the County to develop a proposal for solid waste management, and that ALL materials developed by Operation RESOURCE would be made available to any such firm.
Rochester Engineering Society...1897 - 1969
by Lee M. Loomis
Continuing with the historical sampling of the earlier writings on behalf of the Rochester Engineering Society, the years following "The Great War", into and through the “Great Depression”, continued to be a time of reaching out for the maturing Society, both locally and nationally. The meeting minutes describe a series of technical discussions and presentations intended to broaden the technical horizons of the membership (especially the CE's, ME's and EE's). The RES affiliated itself with a number of National technical societies, adopted local Affiliated Societies, frequently held joint meetings with them and continued taking action on a growing list of public matters. Certain issues of standardization, some crucial to public safety, became the responsibility of the RES and its affiliates. In the pervasive economic downturn of the “Great Depression”, the magazine offered classified advertising for unemployed engineers, technicians and draftsmen and took other steps to try to deal with the crisis. Still, it continued its effort to shape the function, purpose and infrastructure of the City of Rochester, and beyond. Soon, war would again affect the Society, taking away many of its leaders while providing opportunities for others to step forward to fill these vacancies. In an effort to provide even greater perspective on the happenings and concerns of the day, a synopsis, featuring selected items from "The Rochester Engineer" has become an integral part of this series. The Second World War and the Korean Conflict are now history. These experiences have changed the face and, no doubt, the future of the community. The Rochester municipal leadership and the industrial community have become immersed in the cold-war, growth economy.
“The Rochester Engineer” (March 1969) Transportation Planning was the subject of a first-of-its-kind meeting of interested local engineers and Henry L. Pereybrune of the NYSDOT’s Urban Transportation Planning Dept., sponsored by the RES, Monroe Professional Engineers and the Rochester Section of the ASCE. The topics to be reviewed included a potential 72 miles of rapid transit facilities, broad new transportation corridors around the County, new bridges across the Genesee River, and a downtown multi-facility transportation terminal. The RES luncheon series for this month was to include “Securities of Local Industries”, by Warren F. Wallace of George D. B. Bondbright & Co., “A New Concept – A New Company”, by Thomas A. Tuety, VP & Treasurer of R D Products, “Kodak’s New Colorado Plant”, by Howard E. Smith, Manager at Kodak Colorado, “Developing an Integrated Product Line”, by Howard R. Jaquith of Taylor Process Control of the Sybron Corp., and “Training the Undereducated”, by Frederic C. Libby, Supervisor of Vocational Training at Kodak Park. Dr. Edward T. Kirkpatrick, RES President, and Dean of RIT’s College of Applied Science, announced that RIT would be adding a program in Industrial Engineering to its five-year, work-study curriculum. This program would offer concentrations in manufacturing sciences, numerical control, computer methodology and simulation.
April 2, 1969 (Board of Directors Meeting, RIT Engineering Building) The Board approved the applications of nine Regular Members, one Associate Member and two Junior Members. The RES Finance Committee reported that, by having moved the checking account, and associated RES finances, from Marine Midland to Lincoln Rochester Trust Company, the interest rate on the Society’s outstanding loan had been reduced from 8.25% to 8.0%. It was reported that the Metropolitan Transportation Study meeting at RIT, sponsored by the RES, MPES and ASCE, was attended by 135 local engineers. A report from the RES Task Force P-1, Survey of Educational Needs, had identified three major concerns; current solvency of the RES, the financing future RES programs and the financing of an Engineers’ Center. The Board approved a proposal, authored by RES member John Schickler, making the RES magazine available to the RES Affiliates, for news items, announcements, and meeting notices, for a rate of ½ the cost of an equivalent amount of advertising space.
“The Rochester Engineer” (April 1969) In his monthly column, RES President Edward T. Kirkpatrick, proposed an alternative to current “continuing education and professional development” programs wherein “moonlighting” instructors from academia and industry in expensive and not-well-thought-out short courses. Instead, Dr. Kirkpatrick proposed the establishment of formal, part-time programs leading to a “diploma of attendance”. These programs, to be taught by regular faculty and industry trainers, would require as much as ten hours per week of study time, sanctioned and supported by employers. The result would be to ensure that the participant would be exposed to upgraded material, currently be given to undergraduates. Dr. Kirkpatrick argued that, with the rapidly developing technology in all engineering fields, employers would see that a better informed and educated engineering staff will lead to greater profitability of their respective companies. The announced April RES luncheon series topics included, “Community Efforts to Solve the Problems of the Disadvantaged”, by Edward S. Croft, Executive Director of Rochester Jobs, Inc., “On Track – The Apollo Instrumentation Ships”, by Gerard L. Abrams, Product Manager of Space Electronics, Electronics Division of General Dynamics, and “Law Enforcement in Rochester”, by William M. Lombard, Rochester’s Chief of Police. A slate of RES Officers for the 1969-70 year was presented to the general membership, for approval at the RES Annual Meeting including, Alexander M. Beebee, Jr. (GM Rochester Products) – President, Gordon S. Rugg (EKCo) – 1st VP, G. Robert Leavitt (Taylor Instrument Companies) – 2nd VP, James A. Clark (Bausch & Lomb) – Secretary, Edwin L. Anthony (Erdman Anthony, PC) – Treasurer, Orlando J. Feorene (EKCo), John D. Cooper (Rochester Telephone Corp.), Paul F. Pagery (Taylor Instrument Companies) & Melvin J. Corson (RG&E) – Directors.
Subsequent articles in this series will describe the RES' continuing outreach to other technical societies as it considered its role in this and the larger community, along with more of the activities of the RES as it moved to be of greater service to its membership, especially those suffering from current economic crises, and adopted a greater role in shaping the future of the City and its environs. Noted also, will be the contributions made by RES members in the struggle to meet the challenges coming out of World War II, as well as a hoped-for period of post-war growth and prosperity. These articles will also feature an impressive array of RES activities in support of post-war re-emergence of Rochester area industry.
Continuing with the historical sampling of the earlier writings on behalf of the Rochester Engineering Society, the years following "The Great War," into and through the “Great Depression,” continued to be a time of reaching out for the maturing Society, both locally and nationally. The meeting minutes describe a series of technical discussions and presentations intended to broaden the technical horizons of the membership (especially the CE's, ME's and EE's). The RES affiliated itself with a number of National technical societies, adopted local Affiliated Societies, frequently held joint meetings with them and continued taking action on a growing list of public matters. Certain issues of standardization, some crucial to public safety, became the responsibility of the RES and its affiliates. In the pervasive economic downturn of the “Great Depression,” the magazine offered classified advertising for unemployed engineers, technicians and draftsmen and took other steps to try to deal with the crisis. Still, it continued its effort to shape the function, purpose and infrastructure of the City of Rochester, and beyond. Soon, war would again affect the Society, taking away many of its leaders while providing opportunities for others to step forward to fill these vacancies. In an effort to provide even greater perspective on the happenings and concerns of the day, a synopsis, featuring selected items from "The Rochester Engineer" has become an integral part of this series. The Second World War and the Korean Conflict are now history. These experiences have changed the face and, no doubt, the future of the community. The Rochester municipal leadership and the industrial community have become immersed in the cold-war, growth economy.
May 17, 1967 (Special Meeting of the Executive Committee – Chamber of Commerce) The Executive Committee approved a motion to borrow an additional $1,000 from Lincoln Rochester Trust Company to meet current operating expenses.
May 23, 1967 (Special Meeting of the Executive Committee – Chamber of Commerce) The Executive Committee approved the membership applications of seven new members.
“The Rochester Engineer” (May 1967) This issue announced, “Sights and Sounds of Vietnam,” a presentation by Rochester Times-Union Reporter, Peter Behr, scheduled for the RES Annual Meeting at the U of R Faculty Club. Sgt. Behr, a 1962 graduate of Colgate University, had recently returned from a six-week assignment in South Vietnam, and provided a recording of an actual fire-fight in which he participated, scenes of the Vietnam War, and provocative thoughts about the conflict. Feedback from a group of RES officers who recently visited the Cleveland Engineering & Scientific Center focused on “thinking bigger” than just creating a place for engineers to meet. Rather, it should provide facilities and support for educational and technical programs of the more than thirty engineering, scientific and technical organizations in the greater Rochester area. RES President Evan Edwards submitted a detailed report stating, “With diligent study, inspired imagination and dedicated effort, the RES should be able to provide the leadership to establish a center and a program appropriate to the needs of the Rochester community.” He further stated, “The Rochester Engineers’ Center should begin to undergo a careful re-appraisal, by men dedicated to bringing it to fruition.” A small article in this issue announced, “Engineers interested in proposal to convert this country to the metric system of weights and measures should be aware that the US House of Representatives is currently considering a bill to fund, at $500k/year, a study on this issue by the US Dept. of Commerce." The U of R’s Institute of Optics announced a “Fundamentals of Optics for Physicists and Engineers” course for college-level instructors of physics and electrical and mechanical engineering level, taught by U of R faculty, under the direction of Prof. W. Lewis Hyde. This months’ “Our Affiliates” article featured the American Society of Tool and Manufacturing Engineers ASTME, Chapter 16. The Society, formed in 1932 to advance scientific knowledge in the field of tool and manufacturing engineering, saw its Rochester Chapter, beginning in 1938, grow to over 500 members. Also featured in this issue was part 2 of the two-part series on “Reverse-Osmosis Desalination,” by M. E Rowley and N. G. Baumer, covering equipment design.
June 7, 1967 (Annual Meeting – U of R Faculty Club) Attendance – 39. A financial report showing a $7,823.21 deficit was presented, along with a discussion of the need for an increase in Regular Members, Sustaining Members, Participating Companies and Affiliates. Following the annual election of officers, the group heard a graphic account, with color slides, of the recent experiences of Times-Union reporter Peter Behr, on the war in Vietnam, followed by many questions.
June 21, 1967 (Board of Directors Meeting – U of R Faculty Club) Four new RES Regular Members were approved. Following a presentation of an outline for development of a Rochester Engineers’ Center, by Ernest E. Mohr, the Board unanimously adopted this as an official program of the RES. G. Robert Leavitt, Chair of the Luncheon Committee announced that 26 luncheon meeting had been scheduled, with the first meeting being a presentation by Ernest Mohr on the proposed RES Engineers Center. RES Executive Secretary, Norman Howden was excused from the room, while the Board unanimously approved a $1,000 increase in his annual salary.
“The Rochester Engineer” (June 1967) RES Member Ernest Mohr shared the four reasons for his belief that the RES should found an Engineers’ Center:
People – In 1957, a group of engineers began shaping the RES into an “umbrella” organization that had come to represent the entire local engineering profession.
Money – The 1936 bequest by Kate Gleason to the RES had grown from an initial $25k to over $200k and could serve as “seed” money for an Engineers’ Center.
Membership – The RES is unique among professional societies in its demonstrated ability to develop and follow membership practices that allow all professionals, regardless of their education level, to become part of the organization.
Education – The RES is uniquely positioned to regularly inform its membership of opportunities for keeping abreast of the many new developments in numerous areas of science and technology.
The U of R announced the appointment of Dr. G. Robert Loewy as the new Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, succeeding Dr. John W. Graham who left to become President of Clarkson College of Technology, in the Fall of 1967.
An article, “Plasma-Plating, a New Engineering Technique,” by B. R. Catlin, VP of Heany Industries, Scottsville, NY, described a new plating technique, using a hard ceramic coating containing an aluminum oxide base, to extend the useful life of machine parts. The Rochester Section of the ASCE announced that its next meeting would feature a guided tour of the Ontario, NY, site of the new RG&E nuclear power plant, currently under construction.
Subsequent articles in this series will describe the RES' continuing outreach to other technical societies as it considered its role in this and the larger community, along with more of the activities of the RES as it moved to be of greater service to its membership, especially those suffering from current economic crises, and adopted a greater role in shaping the future of the City and its environs. Noted also, will be the contributions made by RES members in the struggle to meet the challenges coming out of World War II, as well as a hoped-for period of post-war growth and prosperity. These articles will also feature an impressive array of RES activities in support of post-war re-emergence of Rochester area industry. We welcome your questions and comments on this series.
A Sampling from the Archives of the Rochester Engineering Society...1897 - 1967
April 26, 1967 (Special Meeting of the Executive Committee – Chamber of Commerce) The Executive Committee approved a motion to immediately borrow $1,000., from Lincoln Rochester Trust Company, to defray operating expenses.
“The Rochester Engineer” (April 1967) This month’s RES Evening Meeting, hosted by Friden, Inc. at their plant on Humboldt St., featured the new Friden “Conversational Mode Terminal”, which allows keyboarding directly into a computer, with hard-copy output! RES Luncheon topic, “Building an New Rochester”, by Seymour Scher, Rochester City Manager, covered challenges to the City Administration, including express highways, rapid transit, urban renewal, new City, County & Federal Offices, air, truck & train terminals, and the Genesee River. Study, along with much discussion continued regarding the proposed new RES Engineers Center. Members wrote to the magazine expressing concern that locating such a center in a renovated facility (the Krenzer Barn on the new RIT Campus in Henrietta), “on the southern outskirts of the City”, would not, “reflect the dynamics of which the Rochester engineering community is capable.” By action of its Board of Directors, the Monroe Professional Engineers Society became the 15th Affiliate of the RES. This month’s RES Affiliate article described the Rochester of the American Society of Chemical Engineers. Founded in 1908, the AIChE began encouraging the establishment of local chapters and, in 1943, the Rochester Chemical Engineers Club was formed, becoming an official Chapter in 1946 and hosting the 1951 annual National AIChE Meeting, in Rochester. The slate of RES Officers, presented in this issue, included President – John L. Wheeler, Xerox Corp., 1st Vice President – Dr. Edward T. Kirkpatrick, RIT, 2nd Vice President – Alexander M. Beebee, Jr., Rochester Products Division of General Motors, Secretary – Gordon S. Rugg, Eastman Kodak Co., Treasurer – E. Philip Kron, Eastman Kodak Co. Directors – Cecil l. Wilder, Xerox Corp. and G.R. (Bob) Leavitt, Taylor Instrument Companies. An article, “Desalination of Water by Reverse Osmosis”, by Dr. M.E. Rowley and N. G. Baumer of Eastman Kodak Co., discussed the First International Symposium on Water Desalination, held in 1965 in Washington, DC. and reviewed the contributions made by Kodak’s Polymer Technology Division to the development of cellulose acetate membranes to support, and enhance the reverse osmosis process. Included in this month’s RES Affiliate meeting topics were “Power Train Development of the Bell “Huey” Helicopter” (Society of Automotive Engineers), “The Digital Computer as a Laboratory Instrument” (IEEE) and “The Design and Construction of the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building” (ASCE).
May 3, 1967 (Board of Directors Meeting – Rochester Products Div. G.M. Corp) The Board heard a report that the Society would end this year (1966-67) with a deficit of $8,000., instead of the $3,600 forecasted. This was largely due to the unbudgeted purchase of the display panels for the Engineers’ Week exhibit, architect’s fees for the designs for the Engineers’ Center and shortfalls in expected income from the Seminars and “The Rochester Engineer”. The Board approved a motion to terminate the RES Custodian Account with Lincoln Rochester Trust Company, with its $200 annual fee. The Board approved a motion to increase annual RES dues from $20 to $25., effective with the new year (1967-68). The Board also approved the membership applications of seven new members. A letter of resignation from Dr. John W. Graham (Past RES President, now President of Clarkson College of Technology) was rejected, in favor of having RES Executive Director, Norm Howden, write and invite Dr. Graham to consider becoming an RES Sustaining Member, or else a non-resident member. RES President Evan Edwards introduced Ernest Mohr, Asst. Mgr. Engineering, Construction, Maintenance & Utilities (ECM&U), Eastman Kodak Co., who had recently accepted the Board’s appointment as the Project Manager for the RES Engineers’ Center. Mr. Mohr then addressed the Board regarding the RES, as a “unifying force” for the Rochester engineering community. Key to this effort, he said, “would be the RES’ sponsorship of continuing education for its members, an acute need that was not currently being met.” He expressed the conviction that a demonstration of this need, and the RES’ ability to meet this need was a pre-condition to securing funding for, and establishing an RES Engineers’ Center. He then proposed that a step-by-step plan be developed to address this challenge. The Publications Committee Chair, Ray Hasenauer, announced that the first significant changes in the format of “The Rochester Engineer” would appear in the May 1967 issue, and that magazine subscription rates would increase with the July-August issue.
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