Ceilidh ... On The Naming of Presses

Hydraulic Die Forming Discussion Group

On The Naming of Presses

The simple fact is, and has been forever, that names have power. To know the name of a thing is to begin to know the thing, to begin to respect and appreciate it; to care about it. There are people, and I am one, for whom the set of Things With Names include items that were made, not born. It is the importance of these things, the pleasure in their use, the way they extend the will beyond the bounds of the hand and so expand the realm of the possible. How can I help but be grateful for such a gift?

I find that there are certain tools whose use has become so necessary and familiar to me that they are distinct in my mind. I know what they can do; I know how to apply them; I know what to expect from them; I use them with care for their well being. At a certain point, a name comes to me -- sometimes immediately, in a flash of recognition -- sometimes more slowly. The name is a way to think about all the tool is and does and how it and I are responsible for each other.

My 20-ton press is Ramoth, named for a golden dragon queen in Anne McCaffrey's Dragonrider books.

My 50-ton press is Behemoth -- a nice dragon sounding name, and a creature described in Genesis as the greatest animal to dwell on land, as Leviathan was the greatest animal to dwell in the oceans.

Early on in the production of the V & F presses names took a mythological twist. Cindy's press is Thor. Phil's first press was Ur [the name of an ancient Sumerian city that has come to be used as a suffix, i.e. the "ur-something" to mean the first and oldest of its kind], but his new 18" V & F press is Marduk, the Sumerian warrior god who was the protector of humankind. I think he also has a press named Ganesh, after the elephant-headed god of the Hindu pantheon who was gave aid to people with great burdens.

So think about what your press means to you, what it does for you, what power it serves you with. Think of allies, and strong friends. Think of the terrific adventures your press makes possible. Those are the kinds of names that hang well on presses.

I would be honored to keep the Registry. Just send me the name of your press(es), and I will periodically post the list.

I will also offer suggestions if you're baffled.

Anne

Fri May 10