Mechanic Arts High School - Artisan Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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THE ARTISAN 23 machines are used to speed up the process. The taste for furni- ture design a11d construction developed by this part of the course, has led a number of boys into furniture manufacturing as workmen in the shops or as designers. VVhether or not such employment materializes, the course has value as an aid in the appreciation of and proper selection of furniture for the home. The outstanding aim of the woodworking courses in general is habit-formation. Thoughtful, painstaking, and methodical procedure on tl1e problems presented develop in the earnest student certain powe.rs not to be gained through book study alone. lVhi1e the values i11 the main are of a general educational character, special interests are often discovered which lead boys into vocations for which the work serves as a partial training. GEORGE M. MORRIS. DRAFTING DEPARTMENT Drafting is a broad term that includes all of the graphic arts-architecture, sculpture, painting, landscape gardening, en- gineering, advertising, etc. It is a graphic language whose pur- pose is to record and communicate accurately, ideas that cannot otherwise be adequately expressed. Careful study of this lan- guage develops ideals of utility and beauty. Thus the practical things of life may he made beautiful as well as useful. Drafting lies at the foundation of most of the arts and trades. lt includes accuracy of thought and execution, and establishes habits of neatness and order. lt is pre-eminent in developing the constructive imagination, the ability to think in three dimensions, and to visualize clearly and accurately. The main purpose of our course in Drafting is to train the student in the greatest of all languages-the Graphic language, planning the work so that principles and 'problems are taken up in a logically determined order. The department otfers courses in General Drawing, Architec- tural Drawing, Industrial Design, and Machine Design. The four- year course in General Drawing is required of all boys in Course A 1Shop Coursel, except those who may elect any one of the other courses for the fourth year. In Course B tf College Goursej, a boy is required to take only three years of drawing. There is a wide range of subject matter in all these courses, so that a student who has acquired an understanding of the prin-

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22 THE ARTISAN WOODWORKING DEPARTMENT The IVoodworking Department may be said to have three branches: iirst-year bench work, second-year pattern making, and fourth-year cabinet making. The increase in the enrollment of the entering class last September makes it seem likely that the first-year work will continue to be the largest branch for some time to come. The first-year course has been somewhat modified in recent years to include fewer exercises and more problems of special interest to the boys. Staining, shellacking and rubbing down of some of the objects has served to increase this interest. This year tl1e test tube racks for the ne.w chemical laboratory and the ring toss stands for the department of physical education were good educational problems as well as contributions to the school system. In the second-year course we have a larger number of boys than formerly from the ninth grade of intermediate schools throughout the city. These. boys are given a special course of bench work and tool sharpening before they are put on lathe work. The pattern making course serves most admirably in developing high standards of workmanship and in giving an understanding of fundamental processes of manufacture where castings are used. Many boys have in the past entered the pat- tern making trade as the result of the interest aroused by this course. The fourth-year work is becoming increasingly popular as an elective. The accommodations are insufficient to care for more than half of the boys who apply. In future years it is hoped that conditions will offer an opportunity to extend this advanced work. At present there are two regular fourth-year divisions under Mr. Emery, and one special division under Mr. Hackett. Each of these instructors has developed work of in- terest and educational value. The aim of the fourth-year course is threefold: first, to review some of the iirst-year principles in advanced bench work problemsg second, to apply quantity pro- duction methods to the making of many articles of the same kind, such as science. tables, drawing trays, or electrical ap- paratus mountsg third, to have each boy design and make an individual piece of furniture. In the furniture construction,

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24 'I' IIE ARTISAN ciples ami developed skill in workmanship, has a good foundation for success in many lilies of industry. R.XI.I'II H. KNiXI'l'. 1 HISTORY DEPARTMENT I. In the Hrst year three periods a week are spent in civics. Emphasis is given to the relations of citizens to other citizens, and to the community of all citizens organized as city, state., and nation. Later we study these three forms of government, the officers, and their powers and duties as defined by our con- stitutions and laws: also by the way in which these laws are made. Two months are devoted to a study ot' the principle vocations. Il. Industrial history of the lfnited States three times a week is required. We were one of the very first high schools to give this course. Emphasis is given to the industrial develop- ment of the nation, rather than to wars or politics. Inventories, conditions, and oiganization of labor, the growth of corpora- tions, the development of agriculture a11d transportation are. important subjects considered. III. In course A, the industrial history of Europe is re- quired threet times a week. The fact that this is the only course in European history makes it necessary to give more time to what may be called general history than in the second year. Still, the industrial side, usually slighted, is emphasized and special attention is given to the life and progress of the. work- ing people, labor organization, methods of cultivation of the land, and of carrying on other industries, methods of transporta- tion, effects of the factory system, and similar topics. IV. ln course Ii, the political history of the United States is required three times a week, with the object of preparing t'or the entrance examinations for M. I. T. and other colleges. Tho e marked A or ll for the year are admitted on certificate. In course A, boys may elect Economics for two period a week. Business organization, the relation of capital and la.bor, personnel, wage systems, cost accounting, banking and invest- ment, are studied in an elementary way. In addition, special attetion is given to study of the different vocations, with the purpose of helping boys to choose those for which they are best adapted. CHARLES L. REED.