Interesting Reading

[randyc]

"Modern Machine Shop Practices" written in 1887:

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/39225/39...9225-h.htm

[randyc]

Here's another one:  https://www.gutenberg.org/files/34030/34...4030-h.htm

It's noteworthy to see the emphasis that old-time machine tool manufacturers put on appearance as well as function.  In the above book, the first thing that I noted was the gorgeous drawings, both line drawings and shaded illustrations.  For machinery nerds, those are art !

The machinery itself has very few straight lines, where the option for creativity exists, LOL.  Cranks, castings, levers - even the legs of the machines - all are gracefully curved and pleasing to the eye.  As time progressed, those little details disappeared and machinery morphed into the current boxy styling of most machine tools.  Too bad, personally I think the older machinery is nicer looking.

[TomG]

Thanks Randy, there is a lot of good information there. I'll be sure to add the link to my website.

I agree that anything worth designing, is worth designing to look good. There is more to a good design than just function.

Tom