Posted on Feb. 13: Students give gift of time

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/clockring.jpg” caption=”Engineering students”]What could be more precious than a gift of time?

That's what a group of fifth-year mechanical engineering students propose to leave as their legacy to McMaster students: time, that is, in the form of a decorative clock that will be placed in a prominent position above the doorframe of the north entrance to the McMaster University Student Centre.

The clock is being designed and constructed by students Patrick Burton, Braden Kurczak, Michael Paddags and Peter Whitred, as a thesis project under the supervision of Tim Nye, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.

A unique design, the timepiece is in a double ring shape that encircles a shield emblazoned with the McMaster coat of arms. The upper ring will indicate the hours and the bottom ring, the minutes. Large six-inch numerals will be legible from afar and will make telling the time easy for even the most myopic. The aesthetics of the design have been carefully thought out: all mechanical drives and power transmission systems will be hidden behind the shield which will appear to be floating in the centre of the ring.

Braden Kurczak says, “We were looking for something interesting that would put together our engineering and management skills. We expect the clock to be attractive, but also easy to read, accurate and requiring low maintenance. It is run off the wall current, not computer controlled so should run relatively accurately.”

In addition to being a graceful form, the ring shape is also of special significance since it is a reference to the traditional iron ring worn by engineering students on the fifth finger of their working hand. The iron ring is a symbolic emblem that reminds the engineers of their ethical obligations to society.

The symbol evolved from an incident in Quebec in the 1920's in which a steel bridge collapsed killing several people. A group of Canadian engineers decided that an organization was needed to emphasize the social significance of the profession to new engineers. Professor Haultain from the University of Toronto wrote for advice to Rudyard Kipling, who had written about the work of engineers in some of his poems. Kipling responded enthusiastically devising both a ring ceremony and a statement of obligation called “The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer.”

In their thesis proposal the students note that the project will provide positive publicity to the artistic skills of the McMaster student body, by being one of the few permanent aspects of campus that are student-designed and manufactured.

According to Kurczak, “We first thought of doing a prank — maybe attaching a clock to the Chimeric Figure (John Ivor Smith's regularly vandalized sculpture) during “Kipling time.” But this seemed like something more positive. It will be the culmination of our five years at McMaster.”

The design concept has been accepted by the Student Centre and the students expect to spend a full year on the construction and fine-tuning. The cost will be approximately $10,000. Anyone wishing to help with “advice, support, wisdom, experience, influence or donations” should contact Braden Kurczak at kurczaba@mcmaster.ca.

Photo caption: From left, Patrick Burton, Michael Paddags, Braden Kurczak and Peter Whitred stand at the north entrance to the McMaster University Student Centre, where the clock ring will be installed.Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay