As we celebrate 100 years of the Morehouse Proving Ring, it’s crucial to understand the historical context that led to its creation and its lasting impact on industry and safety standards. The late 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by rapid industrialization, bringing unprecedented technological advancements, and significant safety challenges.
In the 1920s, the problem of exploding boilers and steam engines became increasingly urgent as demand for power increased. When a boiler exploded, it effectively became a massive bomb, scattering debris over a wide area and often causing casualties. The maritime industry faced similar challenges, particularly with ship plates. These plates, typically riveted together, were subject to differential expansion and contraction rates, which could cause rivets to pop and compromise vessel integrity. Some historians even speculate that a fire aboard the Titanic, occurring just five days before its fateful encounter with an iceberg, may have weakened the ship’s structure, contributing to its eventual sinking.