Little bit of Titusville Iron Works history

MrBitters

MrBitters

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Mar 28, 2014
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I'll admit it... Blade Forums is not the only bit of the internet I frequent. Amazing.

However, sometimes strange crossovers do happen. I ran across this on Reddit /history:

Workers pose for a photo inside the pattern shop at Titusville Iron Works in Titusville, Pennsylvania - 1906. Found this photo tucked away in a box at work.

I work at a newspaper in a small town. We have a photo archive with thousands of excellent photos. Here's one of my favorites:

o7Yl0ya.jpg
 
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Thanks for sharing, the entirety of these knives and the reason I remain enamoured by them is the history they have and will have.
 
I spent the night in Titusville a couple years ago. I wish I had known about GEC back then, it would have been cool to check out the history. It is a beautiful part of our country. I've visited/stayed in Tidioute several times. Beautiful area and full of knife history!
 
I would say, by the looks & size of the shop and equipment, that these patterns were being assembled for iron castings. Nothing to do with knives. I could be wrong, though.
 
Looks like it might be the old building. They didn't make knives as far as I know, but the current building where GEC is located, was a "modernization" for the TIW. A wonderful building if you get a chance to visit!!
Some of the history is on the walls at GEC.
Another part of Titusville's history, and still in the making, IMO!
 
The building where GEC is currently located was the "Physical Testing Laboratory" for Titusville Iron Works, I believe.
 
I love history and pictures like this.

Anytime I see them I can almost imagine being there right then.

The faces on these guys say, "Hurry the hell up and take the pic. We're trying to head to lunch!"

:)
 
MrBitters said:
However, sometimes strange crossovers do happen. I ran across this on Reddit /history:

Workers pose for a photo inside the pattern shop at Titusville Iron Works in Titusville, Pennsylvania - 1906. Found this photo tucked away in a box at work.

I work at a newspaper in a small town. We have a photo archive with thousands of excellent photos. Here's one of my favorites:​
Click to expand...

1906 eh? Very COOL! :)
I note that all the power equipment is located on the right side of the building, and are all operated via belts and one main drive shaft. This tells me that everything is most likely run by a big paddle wheel in the nearby river.
On further examination most of the power tools appear to be for wood working.
I see a table saw on the close right, then what looks like a wood milling machine next, with the two furthest tools looking to be scroll saws.
Then I see large planks on the close left, a work bench further in, and finally what appear to be face frames leaned against the far wall.
At this point my best guess is that this is either a cabinet or furniture shop that may well have been converted at a later date. ;)​
 
The frames against wall look to be part of the pattern for old cast stoves & ovens to me.
 
Ballenxj said:
1906 eh? Very COOL! :)
I note that all the power equipment is located on the right side of the building, and are all operated via belts and one main drive shaft. This tells me that everything is most likely run by a big paddle wheel in the nearby river.
On further examination most of the power tools appear to be for wood working.
I see a table saw on the close right, then what looks like a wood milling machine next, with the two furthest tools looking to be scroll saws.
Then I see large planks on the close left, a work bench further in, and finally what appear to be face frames leaned against the far wall.
At this point my best guess is that this is either a cabinet or furniture shop that may well have been converted at a later date. ;)
Click to expand...

Given that Titusville Iron Works was a well known manufacturer of steam boilers and engines, it's far more likely that the driveshaft got its power from a steam engine at the end of the building.

Cast iron pieces were done in very fine oil-impregnated sand. The patterns were made of wood (which is why this is clearly a woodshop) and placed in a frame (the name of which escapes me - it's been 30 years since I played with casting); the sand would be rammed around the pattern, then the pattern removed and the molten iron poured (I am greatly simplifying the process, but it's not a tremendously technical endeavor.) The "face frames" you see are actually patterns for the cast iron faceplates which go on boiler fireboxes, the openings being for loading wood or coal; sometimes a stacked opening would provide for fuel and cleanout. The openings would be covered during operation by matching cast iron doors. They are easily identified as such due to the hinge bosses on the patterns.
 
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PythonDR said:
Given that Titusville Iron Works was a well known manufacturer of steam boilers and engines, it's far more likely that the driveshaft got its power from a steam engine at the end of the building.

Cast iron pieces were done in very fine oil-impregnated sand. The patterns were made of wood (which is why this is clearly a woodshop) and placed in a frame (the name of which escapes me - it's been 30 years since I played with casting); the sand would be rammed around the pattern, then the pattern removed and the molten iron poured (I am greatly simplifying the process, but it's not a tremendously technical endeavor.) The "face frames" you see are actually patterns for the cast iron faceplates which go on boiler fireboxes, the openings being for loading wood or coal; sometimes a stacked opening would provide for fuel and cleanout. The openings would be covered during operation by matching cast iron doors. They are easily identified as such due to the hinge bosses on the patterns.
Click to expand...
Now this makes sense while explaining it's looking like a typical wood shop. Thanks. :cool:
 
You're welcome! Pattern makers were generally among the highest paid workers in such plants, because nothing could be produced without them. They were usually cabinetmakers and fine finish carpenters, and in many areas (don't know about Titusville) were often German and Italian immigrants. More than a few sculptors, unable to earn a living in their chosen profession, ended up as pattern makers as well.

It's neat that GEC continues to use the name.
 
Yes they certainly look like a group of no nonsense guys, interesting that each one is wearing a hat, that seems to be something we lost over the years, except for a ballcap I suppose, you don't see a large percentage of people with hats all the time.

And I really like that photo, very cool slice of time there! Thanks for sharing it with us!
G2
 
OSHA would have a field day in there wouldn't they?

Woodworking can be dangerous, I speak from experience:

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