Embedded Technology Journal Update

a techfocus media publication :: September 18, 2007 :: volume VIII, no. 12

FROM THE EDITOR

This week, I was hiking through portions of the Canadian Rockies and decided it was time to discuss a (globally) little-known engineering phenomenon that originated over 80 years ago in Canada – the wearing of the Iron Ring. Many Canadian engineers wear the Iron Ring – not as a symbol of pride, but as a reminder of the social responsibilities that go along with the engineering profession. Our latest feature takes a closer look at the Iron Ring, the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, and the concept of oaths and obligations among practicing professionals.

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Kevin Morris – Editor
Embedded Technology Journal

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Ritual Ring
Behind the Canadian Engineering Obligation

The ring is to be worn on the pinkie, its sharp barbs meant possibly to irritate the wearer slightly – a constant reminder of its presence and its symbolic meaning. The piece is neither presumptuous nor ornate – the original material being iron (which rusted), and most current versions being made of stainless steel for practicality. The twelve half-circle facets cut into the top and bottom are staggered, emulating a hand-tooled look. Every aspect of the ring’s design is meant to make it utilitarian – devoid of any aesthetic value that might move it into the realm of fashion, kitsch, or fad. The ring is a reminder, not a piece of jewelry.

The Iron Ring is worn by graduates (and about-to-be graduates) from certain Canadian engineering schools. The organization administering the issuance of Iron Rings, the Corporation of the Seven Wardens, was founded in 1922 by seven past presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada. Professor Herbert Haultain, speaking at a meeting in Montreal, suggested that an institution should be established to bind members of the engineering profession together and that a statement of ethics (now called an “obligation”) should be developed. He proposed that graduating engineering students could be indoctrinated into this organization and should ascribe to the statement of ethics – reminding them of the social responsibilities born by those in the engineering profession.

The group contacted Rudyard Kipling to develop an induction ceremony – now known as “The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer.” The first obligation ceremony was held in 1925 in Toronto, Canada. For the eight decades since, Canadian engineering students have participated in these rituals and worn Iron Rings as reminders that we, as engineers, have a professional obligation to society to perform our work with the utmost care and professionalism. [more]