| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
I hate to post another "bad" story, but this one's actually pretty cool. A guy that's famous locally (Charleston, SC) died this week. His name was Phillip Simmons, and he was a blacksmith.  Mr. Simmons passed at the ripe old age of 97 in his sleep. IIRC he was taught his craft by a former slave. He started out in the days when blacksmiths were "mechanics", but he soon saw that part of his trade was going away. He had something of an artistic flair, so he started making decorative ironwork (gates, fences, etc.) back in the 1940's. 60 years later, some of his stuff is in the Smithsonian and he's known across the country by people that are into that kind of thing. Mr. Simmons, RIP. http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/jun/24/for ging_forward86983/ | ||
| Oldog |
Thanks Hugh, part of a 20 day oddesy took me to memphis and the ornamental metal work museam(sp) its a special tallent.. Rip Phillip Simmonds | ||
| Ulywife |
Thanks for sharing. What a nice tribute to Mr. Simmons. (Message edited by Ulywife on June 25, 2009) | ||
| Greenlantern |
Thank you, that was very touching. | ||
| Slaughter |
Our society no longer places ANY value on skills to produce anything any longer. The loss of Simmons represents a greater loss to society - | ||
| Hughlysses |
Slaughter- they talked about this book a while back on the Kneeslider: "Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work" http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594202230/?tag=googhydr- 20&hvadid=3780241977&ref=pd_sl_36vyv9s4qo_e I think we'd both enjoy reading it. | ||
| Ratyson |
Our society no longer places ANY value on skills to produce anything any longer. The loss of Simmons represents a greater loss to society - I completely agree with that statement. RIP Mr. Simmons. I have always wanted to learn Blacksmithing. I have always found it fascinating.} | ||
| Imonabuss |
Thanks, Hugh. There indeed is an artist. | ||
| Ducbsa |
Sort of a degradation, but I found out that a smith's shop wasn't dark just because of no electric lights, but because it was necessary so he could see the color of the hot metal to know when the temperature was right for various operations. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Link to the Philip Simmons Foundation website: http://www.philipsimmons.us/index.html Lots of info on the man and his work here. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
His 'Heartgate' is a thing of beauty. I love walking around Charleston! RIP "If you want your prayers answered, get up off your knees and hustle." | ||
| Slaughter |
Hugh, Shop Class as Soulcraft. Ordered it. Looks to be a GREAT read (thanks for the recommendation) We are having exactly these discussions at work - these days, we've lost a lot of what we used to value in our "producers" in society. Used to be you could count on a large part of high school graduating classes having taken metal shop, wood shop, auto shop and plastics shop (or combinations) - now ??? The loss of Simmons' talents represents a LOT of what I feel strongly about in what WE are losing today. (-I guess I'm starting to repeat myself.) | ||
| 86129squids |
+1, RIP. True masters and journeymen are an increasingly scarce treasure. |
