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Founders of the
Association convened in New York City on October 25, 1882 to devise
plans and specifications for the newly organized Association. It
was then that it was discussed that the Association should acquire a
seal for a means of identification.
This task was given to Mr. M. W. Williams with only one
requirement: “The seal of the Association shall be represented by a
full stroke and an expansion card.”
The design was intended
to comprise two indicator diagrams on the seal, one of which should be a
diagram from an engine taking steam for the full stroke and another from
an engine with cut-off and typical expansion line.
The figures on each diagram indicate the bore and stroke of each
engine from which the diagrams were made.
One must remember that at the time, the steam engine was common
and the indicator diagram was the certificate of engine performance, and
engine performance was the dilemma engineers of that day were faced
with. The ability to use and
interpret the indicator diagram placed an engineer amongst the
aristocrats of the profession. This
is why the Founders of the Association chose such a seal, to show
hierarchy of knowledge and professionalism.
The seal has changed
little since 1882. The only
feature to change on the seal was the name of the Association; as the
Associations name changed over time, it was reflected onto the seal.
Otherwise, we are proud to say the seal has remained the same
since its conception in 1882.
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