Iron Ring
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- For the weight training equipment, see Iron rings.
The Iron Ring is a symbolic ring worn by some Canadian engineers. Obtaining the ring is an optional endeavour - the ring is not a prerequisite for practicing professional engineering in Canada.
The Ring is given as part of "The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer" [1], written by Rudyard Kipling. The popular legend has it that the rings are made from the steel of a beam from the Quebec Bridge, which collapsed during construction in 1907 due to poor planning and design by the overseeing engineers, killing 75 construction workers. Although this is not true [2], the Ring is a symbol of both pride and humility for the engineering profession.
The ring is always worn on the little finger of the dominant hand, where the facets act as a sharp reminder of the obligation while the engineer works. This is particularly true of recently obligated engineers, whose rings still bear facets nearly sharp enough to be considered serrations. The location of the ring on the dominant hand also means that it is the furthest from the wedding ring that is usually made of gold or other precious metals. This symbolises that monetary gain should not be what motivates an ethical engineer. This symbolism, however, is not necessarily true for left-handed engineers.
The Iron Ring originally was made exclusively from iron, but graduating engineering students are now typically given stainless steel rings, which do not rust. Only Camp 1 (University of Toronto & Ryerson University) continues to provide the option of Iron. Protocol dictates that the rings should be returned by retired engineers or by the families of deceased engineers. Some camps offer such iron rings or so obligated "experienced" rings, but they are now rare due to both medical and practical (industrial/construction site) complications.
The Ring itself is small and understated - it was designed as a constant reminder rather than a piece of jewellery. The Rings were originally hammered manually with a rough outer-surface to further dispel the notion of them being worn as a trinket. The modern machined ring design emulates this manual process with a unique pattern. Twelve half-circle facets are carved into the top and bottom of the outer surface, with the two halves offset by one facet radius. To an untrained eye this appears to be manually hammered.
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[edit] The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer
The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer is the ceremony where Iron Rings are given to graduating engineers who choose to obligate themselves to the highest professionalism and humility of their profession. It is a symbol only and reflects the moral, ethical and professional commitment made by the engineer who wears the ring. The ceremonies are strictly private affairs with no publication. Invitations to attend are extended to any local engineering alumni and professional engineers by those who are scheduled to participate. While the invitation to witness the ceremony is open to anyone in the engineering profession, non-obligated engineers may not participate in the ritual. Some graduating engineers choose to receive a ring passed on from a relative or mentor, thus giving the ceremony a personal touch.
Although the details of the ceremony are not secret, they are considered sacrosanct and obligated engineers will normally decline opportunities to discuss the ceremony, even with engineering students.
[edit] The word "camp"
The word "camp" is deliberately used to describe these regional organizations, because it conveys a smaller, close-knit sense of community.
[edit] History of the ritual
The first ceremony was held at Camp 1, Toronto, on April 25, 1925. At the request of Herbert Haultain, The Engineering Institute of Canada agreed there should be a ceremony or a standard of ethics that should be developed for graduating engineers. They requested the assistance of Rudyard Kipling for the development of a suitable ceremony or ritual.
[edit] Iron Rings in other countries
Based upon the success of the Iron Ring in Canada, similar programs have started in other countries. For example, in the United States, the Order of the Engineer[3] was founded in 1972, and conducts similar ring ceremonies at a number of U.S. colleges, in which the recipient signs an "Obligation of the Engineer" and receives a stainless steel ring (which, unlike the Canadian Iron Ring, is actually smooth and not faceted).
[edit] See also
Iron Ring Clock
Order of the Engineer
