Reflections of the Past
Evan Zabawski | TLT From the Editor June 2010
Looking back at our magazine’s 65 years reveals new insights into our past—and our future.
Going down the road of progress has not brought the horizon closer, but rather reveals an ever-expanding horizon.
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This issue marks the 65th anniversary of STLE’s magazine, which began under the moniker
Lubrication Engineering for the American Society of Lubrication Engineers in June 1945. Seeking inspiration, I picked up a copy of the inaugural issue and read the editor’s column titled “Aims and Purposes of Lubrication Engineering.” I quote the following passage:
“The broad field of lubrication has been in the past all too frequently relegated to a position of incidental importance and for that reason has largely remained, even today, an art rather than a science. There is, however, a rapidly growing realization and appreciation of the true role of lubrication in relation to operating efficiencies, maintenance costs, productivity, quality of product and the achievement of otherwise unattainable goals through better understanding and appreciation of lubrication in all its varied phases. The field of lubrication is thus crossing the threshold of a new era of intense and important scientific development which is rich in the promise of better things to come.
The availability of a medium wherein new knowledge, ideas, experiences and suggestions can be assembled, correlated, weighed and suitably presented will play a key role in the advancement of this infant science.”
I have to admit my initial reaction was to think how little has changed since those words were written, but then I began to see a much more powerful message. While the role of lubrication continues to be relegated to a lower position in some circles, I am encouraged to know it has earned top position in others. As well, the field of lubrication has progressed well beyond the aforementioned “new era” and is spreading into a continuing array of newer eras.
Reflecting on the past puts our present and future into better perspective. There is much work ahead of us, yet we have indeed come so far. I like to think that going down the road of progress has not brought the horizon closer but, rather, reveals an ever-expanding horizon. Tribology, like any science, continues to offer multiple exciting discoveries for every singular problem solved.
Like a drive down any road, we cannot restrict ourselves to only looking forward; we must glance backward on occasion. With the thought, “If you don’t know where you’ve been, you don’t know where you’re going,” on my mind, I continued to reflect on TLT’s origins and finished reading the column, which concludes: “The society is therefore taking this means to invite the interest, cooperation and support of its members, friends and all others who are interested in these matters and to offer its journal as a medium for publication of all problems of interest and import in this field.
In doing so, the society feels that it can be of greatest service by limiting publications to papers, comments and communications of outstanding merit and interest and to papers reflecting above average qualities of initiative, imagination and boldness of attack, be the subjects ones of theoretical or practical application.
The society also wishes to take this opportunity to invite suggestions and criticisms with reference to ways and means whereby
Lubrication Engineering can best serve the interests and needs of those who, whether by profession or avocation, are concerned with the complex and challenging unknowns of the science of lubrication.”
I do not think this has changed, nor should it change. Our magazine is always open to you, the reader, to critique, comment or contribute. Please do not hesitate to contact me; I appreciate and value all feedback and will do my best to address any questions or concerns.
Evan Zabawski, CLS, is manager of training and education services for The Fluid Life Corp. in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. You can reach him at evan@fluidlife.com.