Conversations The art of precision engineering with Simon Winchester
Aug 24, 2021
Simon Winchester, author of 'Exactly, How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World', dives into the fascinating realm of precision engineering. He reflects on childhood memories and the emotional ties to craftsmanship, pondering if perfection has eclipsed artistry. The podcast explores the evolution of precision in navigation and the storytelling joy of exploring without GPS. Winchester outlines the impact of figures like John Iron Mad Wilkinson on industrial engineering and contrasts the intricate designs of Henry Royce with Ford's mass production.
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Childhood Discovery Of Ultra‑Flat Blocks
- Simon Winchester describes his father showing him 101 Johansson blocks that stuck together due to ultra-flat surfaces.
- He learned the molecular binding and early fascination with precision from that winter evening in London.
Flatness Is Foundational To Precision
- Henry Maudslay's three‑plate method produced truly flat surfaces by mutual scraping until all three matched.
- Flatness underpins machining accuracy and modern interchangeability in engineering.
Dropping A Rig In The North Sea
- Simon recounts steering a jack‑up rig in the North Sea in 1967 using Decca navigation to drop legs within a couple of hundred feet.
- The rig struck gas a week later, vindicating the tense, imprecise navigation process.
