Ferrous Materials

One of the greatest technical advancements during the early Greek period was the development and use of iron. The use of iron spurred many other important developments such as furnaces, mining, pumps and weaponry. The relatively low cost of making, forming and processing iron is just one of the many reasons why it is so highly sought after. The abundance of its two raw materials (iron ore and scrap) and its unparalleled range of mechanical properties also contribute to its desirability.

During the Industrial Revolution, it became clear that not only was iron used to make needed products, but even tools of iron were used to form other needed goods. Steel and iron were widely used to make machine tools and equipment which transformed the economy of both the city and farm. In regards to the city, steel is the most commonly used material for building all infrastructures and is used to make anything from safety pins to skyscrapers. The tools needed to build and manufacture such items and entities are also made of steel. Steel produced in the United States filters into five main domestic markets: the automotive industry, warehouses of steel service centers, construction, cans and other containers, and farm and electrical equipment manufacturers. It is evident that this metal is extremely important and ubiquitous steel is in our society and every day life.

Alloy development has grown significantly in the steel industry within the last thirty years or so. Many other steels such as high strength steel and low allow steel were also developed during this time and are significant because they meet major needs the industry has. They allow for weight reduction, higher performance, and lower costs. Alloys are also incredibly diverse which allows for designers to have a large pool to choose from. Next to alloy steels, carbon steels are the next most widely used type of steel. Other highly sought after steels are cold and hot finished steels, high sulfur steels, high strength, low alloy steels and stainless steels.

Stainless steels belong to an important class of engineering alloys. It is used in innumerable products and industries. Power generation, pulp and paper, chemical processing industries, and other everyday household and commercial products all utilize stainless steels. This family of alloys is iron based with an addition of chromium. When added to iron, chromium reduces atmospheric corrosion and forms an invisible and adherent rich oxide surface film, which gives it its stainless characteristics. It also forms and heals itself in the presence of oxygen.

Other notable physical properties about ferrous materials are the ability to be hardened or softened when added to another metal, modulus of elasticity, weldability with other metals, and ferromagnetism, the ability to be attracted to a magnet. Although there are more than hundreds of different types of alloys, they have been and are the most tested and well characterized materials ever. Ferrous materials are abundant and readily available for use and are known as the primary structural metal of choice.

An advantage that the steel industry offers to designers and users of steel is a high degree of standardization. The supplier of steel therefore is not as important so long as the proper alloy, product form and heat treatment is specified. This takes one more step out of the process and makes things easier for designers, contractors and other users of this material.

Point of View

There is always a heads and a tails, a glass half empty and a glass half full and a negative and a positive side to an issue. The way one views something influences and even determines one's behavior and actions regarding that issue. In the introduction and first chapter of Cradle to Cradle, two ways of looking at the world and its resources are introduced. One can either look at the world as a world of abundance or a world of limits. Instead of taking on the latter point of view, the authors of this book encourage readers to adopt a different vision. Adopt a vision that sees industry and the environment working together and benefiting each other in harmony; a vision that sees opportunities of creativity and productivity inspired by this world of abundance. Even though the industry is heavily motivated by economic incentives, design goals should not be limited to the economic system. Instead of creating universal design solutions that are enforced by brute force, society as a whole needs to take into consideration both natural and cultural diversity and transform not only design goals, but also ways of manufacturing, developing and distributing goods. As mentioned in the first chapter, "A Question of Design," a strategy of change should be assumed instead of a strategy of tragedy.

Why?

My friend Christine Hwangpo stopped by Florence a week ago to say hello during her travels around Europe. With Rome, Venice, Milan, Paris and a few other cities on her list, I couldn't help but wonder why this spontaneous and seemingly random trip. Spending a week in every city seemed too extensive for a mere vacation so asked her why.

Me: Why are you traveling Europe?

Christine: For culinary inspirations and exploring different kinds of foods before i enter culinary school.

Me: Why did you think that being in Europe would give you more inspiration?

Christine: Well above everything, food is quintessential in every culture. Visiting these countries give you a basic idea of how they integrate their foods into their daily lifestyles... It gives you the basis of how to cook & why to cook. That's why I decided to come to Europe for short term culinary classes.

Me: Why did you choose the countries and cities you did?

Christine: Because for those aspiring to venture into the culinary arts, Italy and Paris are the two places to go.

Me: What culinary programs did you enroll in and what made you choose them?

Christine: I'm taking a week long class in paris and another week long class in the countryside of Tuscany. Both classes are hands on with top rated chefs along side the perks of tours at gourmet food shops and tasting venues.

Me: Why do you have a specific interest in learning the food culture of European countries?

Christine: I've always been interested in European cuisine, including their different types of spices and techniques. In the beginning I was more oriented towards cooking Italian food.. but after visiting and experiencing Parisian food/life... I'm beginning to lean towards Parisian cuisine. In Paris, they all genuinely take their time to really enjoy their food.. and same goes for the preparation and cooking the entrees as well.

What is this?

The meanings of objects vary as people associate their personal and individual ideas, words, concepts and memories with them. When unsure of what an object is people try to pull from their memory other familiar characteristics, objects and places to help them better understand the nature of the unfamiliar subject. I picked up a small Florentine object from an antique store that looks like it could have multiple purposes. Curious as to what others thought about it I asked several people to jot down the first 10 words that came to mind when looking at this object. Here's what they said:

Taylor Savas:

1. church

2. sword

3. black

4. rose

5. texture

6. red

7. dangerous

8. cute

9. nick knack

10. handmade

Nancy Chi:

1. miniature

2. dull

4. antique

5. carved

6. symbolic

7. book mark

8. gothic

9. knife

10. renaissance

Crystal Wang:

1. pen

2. ornate

3. leaves

4. texture

5. silver

6. crevice

7. dagger

8. medieval

9. ancient

10. petite

Can you guess what this object is?

Card Sort - Florence

Eight adjectives:

1. grid-like

2. inspiring

3. exciting

4. beautiful

5. safe

6. friendly

7. peaceful

8. tiring - a lot of walking

Eight objects/experiences:

1. stones

2. stairs

3. antiques

4. wine

5. churches

6. street signs

7. leather

8. narrow streets

These words are characteristics, places and objects associated with the city of Florence, Italy. Experiencing this city for the first time and going through some of the culture shocks, these are some immediate responses I had to the city. Having shuffled these words written on 16 pieces of paper, I passed them four people to the right and had the fourth person organize them in a logical manner (logical to her).

They were shuffled and passed again, two to the left, and reorganized in a logical manner (logical to him).

The point of this exercise was to see how words can take on various meanings depending on context and on who is interpreting them. These words are my interpretations and reactions to the city organized in a manner influenced by someone else's interpretations and reactions to the city. Its interesting to see how different people mentally and physically organize and categorize these same words in completely different ways.

Tuesday afternoons