Sometimes we need to be reminded about how much of a privilege it is to be able to attend meetings of the Technical Society. The quality of our programs is excellent and we have been able to get really outstanding speakers. The month of January is a good example. On January 13, 2014 historian, Ray Smith was our speaker. Ray has an extensive understanding and appreciation of the heritage of Y-12. He served for 16 years
in management and has a total of 43 years of experience at the Y-12 National Security Complex and has learned about all the buildings on the site and their history. It was a very informative session on a subject
that is currently very controversial and important. Also, Ray is certain that any more nuns who wish to penetrate the Y-12 perimeter will meet with much more serious resistance.
Our January 27 speaker, Gary Golden, is a world renown consultant on steam turbines and it was a privilege to
be able to hear his presentation. After listening to his talk on turbine failure I (secretary Bob Scott) will never look at a steam turbine the same again. The trace impurities in steam can build up and cause chemical stress corrosion cracking with the potential for disaster. Anyone who is working with turbines would have to be aware of Gary and his work to have a safe design.