The 92nd Engineering Heritage Award comes to the Midlands
On Friday 14 February, Past President John Wood, will be presenting the 92nd Engineering Heritage Award to the Smethwick Engine at the Thinktank Museum at Birmingham Millennium Point.
The oldest working engine in the world, the Smethwick Engine was originally one of two engines used to pump water back up to the summit level of the Birmingham Canal at Smethwick. The other engine, also built by Boulton and Watt, was at the other end of the summit level at Spon Lane.
The engines were needed because local water sources were insufficient to supply water to operate the six locks either side of the canal's original summit.
In 1892, a replacement engine was built in a new pumping house next to Brasshouse Lane as the original Smethwick Engine was considered uneconomic to repair. The Engine was then removed to British Waterways Ocker Hill depot where it remained until acquired by Birmingham City Council.
Today, the Smethwick Engine is part of the collection of Birmingham Museums and is on display at the Thinktank museum.
If you would like to attend the Engineering Heritage Award presentation, please email heritage@imeche.org with your contact details and the number of guests you wish to bring. Space will be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis.
Midlands Engineering Dinner
The 2014 Midlands Engineering Dinner takes place on Friday 21 March at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, since its inception in 2004, the dinner has grown in profile and prestige, evolving into now one of the most sought after on the business and social calendar, in the region.
Very much an event run by engineers for engineers and the business community, the overall aim of the dinner is to raise the profile of the profession provide a platform for engineers to be seen and heard, and to ensure that the region is aware of the vital economic contribution made by the engineering community.
At this year’s event, the keynote speaker is: Ian Beresford MBE Engineer & Technical Director, at QinetiQ and the after dinner speaker is Graham Davies.
To book your place at the dinner, please visit: www.imeche.org/events/O1550