A Multimedia Exploration of the Story of Vulcan, Blending Film, Poetry, Sound, Music, Art and Science

Nuts and Bolts of Industry

Rusty detritus of the past found in Sheffield museums gives us hidden glimpses of bygone days with questions of how and when they were used or made.

As part of the research phase of our project we are recovering these stories. I am an engineer as well as an artist,  How these objects were used in the manufacturing of steel production or knife-making, or as part of the machinery itself, is fascinating. Interestingly enough, as we look at these ‘nuts and bolts’ of industry from the past today, we see corrosion returning them to their elemental state as iron oxide; dust to dust etc. Lessons we should heed perhaps?

KI 28 May 24 C of F nuts and bolts by CW

Nuts and bolts from Kelham Island Museum, May 2024

Rusty clamp found at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet 29 May 2024 for Cradle of Fire project

A rusty clamp found at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet Museum, May 2024

 

Blog by Diana Scarborough

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