In the midst of all that's going on these days, one anniversary (for this site at least) doesn't need to pass unmentioned: this month sixty years ago, Vulcan moved its operation from Chicago to Chattanooga, after 108 years in the "Windy City." Everything around the operation went according to plan, from the plant construction to … Continue reading Sixty Years of Vulcan in Chattanooga
One of the pleasures of having an office in West Palm Beach was the ability to take in the pleasures of a resort area like South Florida. One of those more pleasurable places was the Colonnades Beach Hotel on Singer Island; the photo above of the entrance dates from October 1966. I'm not sure how … Continue reading Colonnades Beach Hotel
In the midst of the souring relationship between the two countries: Beijing vowed to retaliate after it said that the United States ordered its Houston consulate to be closed within 72 hours, calling it an “outrageous and unjustified move,” marking a serious escalation in the quickly deteriorating relationship between the U.S. and China... The announcement … Continue reading China’s Historic Houston Consulate Gets the Boot, Goes Up in Flames
The Iranians want to bypass the Suez Canal using their port at Chabahar: The Iranian Chabahar Free Trade Zone Organization announced July 5 that trade connections to Mumbai, Hamburg and St. Petersburg will be made through Astrakhan (in Russia), Anzali and Chabahar (in Iran) and Nhava Sheva (in India) instead of the Suez Canal. This raises questions … Continue reading Chabahar: a Vulcan “Almost” Becomes a Point of Contention with the Suez Canal
One of the more popular pieces on this site is A Few Words About the Telex, which documents Vulcan's history with this interesting piece of technology. Below is a video which also summarises that history: https://youtu.be/byMwNPj47X8 I'd like to add a few notes: First, from the 1930's to the 1950's Vulcan advertised its cable address … Continue reading A Nice Summary of the History of the Telex
Above is something you don't see much of any more: a hand-drawn artist's conception of a building that has yet to be built. In this case it's Vulcan's last all-new building: the Special Products Division at 2625 Electronics Way, West Palm Beach, FL, which was completed and opened in 1967. Afterwards some things changed along … Continue reading Those Aspirational Small Businesses
Although Vulcan would experience more than forty more years of life after it was over, Vulcan's Centennial Celebration in 1952 was both a milestone and a high point in its history. The "capstone" of the ceremonies was the keynote speech by Vulcan's President, Chester H. "Chet" Warrington, my grandfather. He put a wrap on the … Continue reading Liberty, Prosperity and Life
Some of you may wonder what it was (and is) like to machine parts for Vulcan hammers, most of which are iron or steel castings. Some feel for it (and the decisions a machinist must make in the process) can be seen in the video below. https://youtu.be/L5yVpvCav_U Some comments: Although he doesn't say so, my … Continue reading Machining a Cast Iron Bearing
Another of Vulcan's long time employees has passed away: Curtis Harmon, age 83, of Wellington, FL, passed away on February 26, 2020. Curtis was born in Chattanooga, TN on May 22, 1936. Curtis is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cynthia C. Harmon; his children, Mel Harmon, Terri (Sam) Alavi and Robert (Julie) North. … Continue reading RIP E. Curtis Harmon
It's a little late, but this, the 1971 Christmas card from Vulcan Iron Works. Above shows the Australian Avenue office; below is the greeting:
vulcanhammer.info 