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EXPO 2010 ....just like the "51 Exhibition?"

^{Holding an Industrial Homecoming.
By}  
Woodjig.com

In this country manufacturing has been a tradition and a custom. As I will mention below, Asian countries are fast becoming the beneficiaries of western manufacturing. The work ethic is also being tested like never before in history. It is probably time for politicians and educators face the economic disparage that is promising decline to the Western work culture. Irregardless of the reasons for jobs being exported, North America and Europe are paying in a manner of shuttered plants, tax losses and political instability.

In order to transfer our industrial ethic and principles, it helps to have an idea of what manufacturing is and how it came about. Throughout history, producing things from raw materials has been a rewarding and basic necessity. After the observation and first hand knowledge of producing things, we acquire a thirst to practice the skills which produce trade, and relieve poverty. Manufacturing is like anything else. We need to first acquire the basic principals, concepts, and even it’s history in order to establish a taste for it.

Somebody once said...

I have built close to one hundred different jigs for woodworkers recently. My jigs utilize the basics of “volume manufacturing.“ One of my jigs will turn a table saw into a miniature machining center. Many people have experienced through their hobby what is involved in the process of manufacturing. Basically, it involves locating and machining materials while being accurately located with jigs, gauges, and fixtures. One of my website visitors explained clearly to me what it is that is so vital about this subject.
He said; "I really understand what you mean when you talk about mass producing as opposed to specialized projects. I had not thought of applying this to my woodworking because it was always just a hobby. However, woodworking costs way too much to be just a hobby. Since reading your web site, I have undertaken a new look at my shop and started working on turning it into a small side business. I'll keep you posted."

He had always thought exclusively inside the "Hand made only" box. Now, with some more information, he now has many new ideas, and can gradually build upon the new "volume, efficient, methodical method of applying his skills.

I’ve also written a history book about the machine industry, and the whole theme for my book is: Knowledge is the fuel of technology, and effective communication is a vital tool in industry. We can have all of the best tools in the world, but without communication, and often a grasp of history, we fail to see the whole picture. Most of this book investigates the history of industry. "Ingenious Machines and Methods" is about the history of Tools, Machines, Crafts, Education, Government and more. It is like a "Grand Tour" of Industry.

This brings me to explain my title to this letter. In 1851, England erected The Crystal Palace which was a technological wonder in London England for The Great Exhibition started on 1st May 1851. This was when England was the world's leading industrial power, producing more than half its iron, coal and cotton cloth. The Crystal Palace, built for the show, was a triumph of pre-fabricated mass production in iron and glass. Its contents were intended to celebrate mechanics, material progress and peaceful international competition. The exhibit ranged from massive machines, technology and trains, to the exquisite artistry of the handicraft trades - not to mention all sorts of gadgets and ornaments. Almost every trade capable country in the world displayed its wares, and it was arguably by some historians, the true beginning of industrial revolution. It was conceived to symbolize the industrial, military and economic superiority of Great Britain. There were a few similar exhibitions previously in Prague, and Paris, but the London Exhibition of 1851 was the most spectacular. The exhibit was promoted in engineering circles and trade journals for years previous. Many governments sent shiploads of engineers, and academics to the event to gather facts about what new technology was currently available in the world market.

Now, in a few years, China will be attempting to revive the 1851 event with what is being named “World Expo, 2010.” Competing countries now have few years left to confront China’s next colossal and spectacular attempt to garnish a total monopoly on global manufacturing. The rest of the Industrialized world must mount an effort to revive it’s own industrial expo if it is ever to compete with such competition.  Expo 2010 will be a huge challenge for the rest of the world.   In light of such a monetary imbalance, the economies of most countries who compete with China will surely feel additional losses of manufacturing jobs. The astronomical currency imbalance between China and the United States is a challenge to every wage earner, tax payer, pensioner, stock holder and real estate owner in every state. This currency imbalance is very clearly unfair, and unprecedented in history.

American industrial jobs, standards of living and taxes are all in a very critical position. Until there is a correction in this impending economic slide, China needs to understand this dilemma, and also be very sensitive to it’s threat to all of it’s friends and to itself. The lopsided money issue needs attention, and it can’t wait until after China imports every remaining means of production. There needs to be a sensible balance in the interest of world economic and political stability.

America needs to mount a network of communication which “speak to each other.”   Ben Franklin called it "Voluntary Association."  Economists, engineers, politicians, inventors and manufacturers need to share issues and ideas. They all have vital techniques, skills, and ideas which were shared during the 1851 Exhibition, and England became a world power for it.  Expo 2010 will be a huge challenge for the rest of the world.

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