Barbie and Ken, rock and roll, peanut butter and jelly; these iconic duos are universally recognized as pairing well together. I'd like to nominate the IMAT conference and Detroit to be included on this list. Hear me out - while the IMAT conference and its 2023 host city aren't going to satisfy your hunger at lunch or beat out Oppenheimer at the box office, the duo's historical ties are undeniable and are worth a deeper dive.
In 1905, Bill Woodside first went to Detroit hoping to contribute to the automobile production boom. A blacksmith by trade, Bill Woodside had earned a reputation for working with others to solve heat treatment problems, which was unusual at the time. Traditionally, blacksmith shops were family-operated and trade secrets were heavily guarded as a means of self-preservation. Bill Woodside's penchant for collaboration, while initially met with surprise in the blacksmithing industry, eventually became the industry norm. The automobile boom introduced mass production methods, and it was desirable for a line of cars to feature a consistent quality for consumers. This necessitated a high level of cooperation and sharing of knowledge – an environment that Bill Woodside thrived in.
Bill Woodside's search for employment in Detroit unsurprisingly did not last long. He started work at Cadillac Motor Car Company but soon changed jobs to work at Crucible Steel Company. By 1913, the accessibility of metallurgy knowledge had improved from Bill's early days in Detroit, but Bill still felt as though there was more room for improvement. Encouraged by his peers, Bill helped establish an association for steel treaters to facilitate the exchanging of knowledge and ideas. This association, creatively dubbed the 'Steel Treater's Club', quickly grew in popularity – by 1918 there were over 1200 members and a second chapter had formed in Chicago. A few name changes and several decades later, ASM International and the International Metallographic Society are proudly hosting the 2023 IMAT Conference in Detroit: a homecoming of sorts.
As you are walking through the maze of metallography contest posters and attending presentations, try to keep Bill Woodside's legacy in mind. ASM International, and the International Metallographic Society (IMS) for that matter, have come a long way in the 100 years since its creation. While the technical issues that we face today are not the same as the ones the society faced in its infancy, I'd encourage everyone to find inspiration from Bill Woodside's story and his passion for collaboration. This year at IMAT, ask that burning question you have at the end of a presentation, visit vendor booths that you are unfamiliar with, and go that extra mile to network with others. You might be surprised how much you can learn and how valuable your experience and insight can be for others.
For those of you who are unable to attend IMAT this year – don't fret just yet. All truly good combinations never lose their luster, and the IMAT and Detroit pairing is no exception. IMAT will be returning to Detroit in 2025. To help pass the time, you can read more about the history of ASM International here and the history of IMS here. Regarding this year though, I look forward to seeing all of you at IMAT – let's make it a good one!
A special thank you goes out to the Detroit Chapter for sharing their history with us.
------------------------------
Johnathon Brehm
R&D Laboratory Support Technologist
Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque NM
(262) 993-7295
------------------------------