History of the American Society
of Mechanical Engineers (ASME®)
A Century of Safety:
The History of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME®)
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME®) stands as a prominent force in the global engineering landscape. Its history is intertwined with the evolution of mechanical engineering itself, spanning over a century of innovation and progress.
Pictured above: ASME® first presidents
1880s: The Founding Years
- Birth of ASME®: In 1880, a group of visionary engineers, concerned about the safety and advancement of the burgeoning field of mechanical engineering, gathered in New York City. This meeting marked the official birth of ASME®.
- Early Focus: The initial focus was on addressing critical issues like boiler safety, a pressing concern in the age of industrialization. This led to the development of the ASME® Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, a landmark achievement that continues to shape industry standards today.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME®) was founded in 1880 in response to boiler explosions that became common with the use of steam power. Between 1880 and 1890 there were over 2,000 boiler explosions in the United States.
One of the failures that showed the need for boiler laws was a boiler explosion that completely leveled the Grover Shoe Factory in Brockton, Massachusetts in March 1905. Unlike today where having a regular boiler inspection is the law, inspections were random. In addition, operating guidelines were nonexistent and pressures were regularly turned up. The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (B&PVC) was conceived in 1911 out of a need to protect the public.
The B&PVC is the largest Standard, both in physical size (number of volumes and pages) as well as in the number of volunteers who participate in its preparation, issued by ASME Codes and Standards. At any one time there are over 800 active volunteers, many of whom serve on more than one committee.
The fact that the B&PVC is a Committee organized and administered by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers may leave the impression that the volunteers are all Mechanical Engineers. However, due to the nature of the B&PVC, it is necessary that the volunteers represent expertise in many areas. To write such a standard requires a breadth of knowledge that is not available in any one discipline.
There are members on the various committees who are educated and experienced in materials (metallurgical and materials engineering), structures (civil engineering), physics, chemistry (chemistry and chemical engineering) and many other disciplines in addition to mechanical engineering.
Currently, all provinces of Canada and 49 of the 50 United States have adopted, by law, various Sections of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Furthermore, the B&PVC is international. Over 25 percent of the companies accredited by the ASME Codes and Standards to manufacture pressure parts in accordance with various Sections of the B&PVC are located outside of the United States and Canada.
Grover Shoe Disaster
Shortly after an old boiler was put back into temporary service, it exploded and flew through three floors and the roof.
The flying boiler knocked over a water tower and its full tank smashed through the roof, causing the building to collapse. This disaster resulted in 58 deaths and 117 injuries. During the investigation, C. E. Roberts, a manager of Hartford Steam Boiler, stated “So far as I have been able to learn there appears to have been no carelessness in the handling of the boiler, and the explosion, in my opinion, was caused by a defect that was impossible to discover.”
The Grover disaster generated attention for improved industrial safety and prompted action and a Board of Boiler Rules was formed, which consisted of a three-page document. After the ASME helped overcome manufacturer objections to “needless government interference” Massachusetts passed “An Act Relating to the Operation and Inspection of Steam Boilers” in 1907. The Massachusetts laws eventually led to passage of a national boiler safety code.
The first ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (1914 Edition) was published in 1915 and consisted of one book with 114 pages; which measured 5 inches by 8 inches. Today there are 28 books, including 12 books dedicated to the Construction and Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components and two Code Case books. The 28 books are either Standards that provide the rules for fabricating a component, or support documents such as Materials (Section II, Parts A through D), Non-Destructive Examination (Section V), and Welding (Section IX). Code Cases provide rules that permit the use of materials and alternative methods of construction that are not covered by existing B&PVC rules.
Pictured (both): Grover shoe disaster
Pictured above: Staff of ASME®
Early 20th Century: Growth and Expansion
Expanding Scope: ASME®’s influence extended beyond boiler safety. The organization embraced a wider range of engineering disciplines, including:
- Thermal engineering: Covering topics like thermodynamics, heat transfer, and power generation.
- Manufacturing engineering: Focusing on production processes, materials science, and industrial automation.
- Biomechanical engineering: Exploring the interface between engineering and the human body.
- Technical Standards Development: ASME® became a leading authority in developing and publishing technical standards across various engineering fields. These standards serve as crucial guidelines for design, manufacturing, and operation, ensuring safety and quality in a wide range of applications.
Mid-20th Century: A Pivotal Era
- World War II Impact: World War II spurred significant advancements in engineering, and ASME® played a crucial role in supporting the war effort. The organization contributed to the development of critical technologies, including aircraft engines, radar systems, and nuclear power.
- Post-War Growth: The post-war era witnessed a surge in technological innovation. ASME® continued to expand its scope, embracing emerging fields such as:
- Nuclear engineering: Addressing the challenges and opportunities of nuclear power generation.
- Aerospace engineering: Contributing to the advancement of space exploration and aviation.
- Biomedical engineering: Developing innovative solutions in healthcare and medicine.
Pictured above: How the world war ii impacted American Society
Pictured above: ASME’s 20th Century Milestones in Manufacturing
Late 20th Century and Beyond
- Globalization and Diversification: As the world became increasingly interconnected, ASME® expanded its global reach, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- Focus on Sustainability: Recognizing the critical importance of environmental sustainability, ASME® incorporated sustainability principles into its standards and programs, promoting the development of environmentally responsible engineering solutions.
- Digital Transformation: Embracing the digital age, ASME® leveraged technology to enhance its services, offering online resources, digital libraries, and virtual events to connect with members and advance engineering knowledge.
1880s: The Founding Years
Pictured above: ASME® first presidents
- Birth of ASME®: In 1880, a group of visionary engineers, concerned about the safety and advancement of the burgeoning field of mechanical engineering, gathered in New York City. This meeting marked the official birth of ASME®.
- Early Focus: The initial focus was on addressing critical issues like boiler safety, a pressing concern in the age of industrialization. This led to the development of the ASME® Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, a landmark achievement that continues to shape industry standards today.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME®) was founded in 1880 in response to boiler explosions that became common with the use of steam power. Between 1880 and 1890 there were over 2,000 boiler explosions in the United States. One of the failures that showed the need for boiler laws was a boiler explosion that completely leveled the Grover Shoe Factory in Brockton, Massachusetts in March 1905. Unlike today where having a regular boiler inspection is the law, inspections were random. In addition, operating guidelines were nonexistent and pressures were regularly turned up. The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (B&PVC) was conceived in 1911 out of a need to protect the public.
The B&PVC is the largest Standard, both in physical size (number of volumes and pages) as well as in the number of volunteers who participate in its preparation, issued by ASME Codes and Standards. At any one time there are over 800 active volunteers, many of whom serve on more than one committee. The fact that the B&PVC is a Committee organized and administered by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers may leave the impression that the volunteers are all Mechanical Engineers. However, due to the nature of the B&PVC, it is necessary that the volunteers represent expertise in many areas. To write such a standard requires a breadth of knowledge that is not available in any one discipline.
There are members on the various committees who are educated and experienced in materials (metallurgical and materials engineering), structures (civil engineering), physics, chemistry (chemistry and chemical engineering) and many other disciplines in addition to mechanical engineering.
Currently, all provinces of Canada and 49 of the 50 United States have adopted, by law, various Sections of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Furthermore, the B&PVC is international. Over 25 percent of the companies accredited by the ASME Codes and Standards to manufacture pressure parts in accordance with various Sections of the B&PVC are located outside of the United States and Canada.
Grover Shoe Disaster
Shortly after an old boiler was put back into temporary service, it exploded and flew through three floors and the roof. The flying boiler knocked over a water tower and its full tank smashed through the roof, causing the building to collapse. This disaster resulted in 58 deaths and 117 injuries. During the investigation, C. E. Roberts, a manager of Hartford Steam Boiler, stated “So far as I have been able to learn there appears to have been no carelessness in the handling of the boiler, and the explosion, in my opinion, was caused by a defect that was impossible to discover.”
Pictured (both): Grover shoe disaster
The Grover disaster generated attention for improved industrial safety and prompted action and a Board of Boiler Rules was formed, which consisted of a three-page document. After the ASME helped overcome manufacturer objections to “needless government interference” Massachusetts passed “An Act Relating to the Operation and Inspection of Steam Boilers” in 1907. The Massachusetts laws eventually led to passage of a national boiler safety code. The first ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (1914 Edition) was published in 1915 and consisted of one book with 114 pages; which measured 5 inches by 8 inches. Today there are 28 books, including 12 books dedicated to the Construction and Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components and two Code Case books. The 28 books are either Standards that provide the rules for fabricating a component, or support documents such as Materials (Section II, Parts A through D), Non-Destructive Examination (Section V), and Welding (Section IX). Code Cases provide rules that permit the use of materials and alternative methods of construction that are not covered by existing B&PVC rules.
Early 20th Century: Growth and Expansion
Pictured above: Staff of ASME®
Expanding Scope: ASME®’s influence extended beyond boiler safety. The organization embraced a wider range of engineering disciplines, including:
- Thermal engineering: Covering topics like thermodynamics, heat transfer, and power generation.
- Manufacturing engineering: Focusing on production processes, materials science, and industrial automation.
- Biomechanical engineering: Exploring the interface between engineering and the human body.
- Technical Standards Development: ASME® became a leading authority in developing and publishing technical standards across various engineering fields. These standards serve as crucial guidelines for design, manufacturing, and operation, ensuring safety and quality in a wide range of applications.
Mid-20th Century: A Pivotal Era
Pictured above: How the world war ii impacted American Society
- World War II Impact: World War II spurred significant advancements in engineering, and ASME® played a crucial role in supporting the war effort. The organization contributed to the development of critical technologies, including aircraft engines, radar systems, and nuclear power.
- Post-War Growth: The post-war era witnessed a surge in technological innovation. ASME® continued to expand its scope, embracing emerging fields such as:
- Nuclear engineering: Addressing the challenges and opportunities of nuclear power generation.
- Aerospace engineering: Contributing to the advancement of space exploration and aviation.
- Biomedical engineering: Developing innovative solutions in healthcare and medicine.
Late 20th Century and Beyond
Pictured above: ASME’s 20th Century Milestones in Manufacturing
- Globalization and Diversification: As the world became increasingly interconnected, ASME® expanded its global reach, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- Focus on Sustainability: Recognizing the critical importance of environmental sustainability, ASME® incorporated sustainability principles into its standards and programs, promoting the development of environmentally responsible engineering solutions.
- Digital Transformation: Embracing the digital age, ASME® leveraged technology to enhance its services, offering online resources, digital libraries, and virtual events to connect with members and advance engineering knowledge.
ASME®
ASME® has a rich and enduring legacy, playing a pivotal role in shaping the course of mechanical engineering and its impact on society. Through its commitment to technical excellence, professional development, and public service, ASME® continues to inspire and empower engineers to address the challenges of the 21st century and create a better future for all.