About the Landmarks Program

Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks are existing artifacts or systems representing a significant mechanical engineering technology. They generally are the oldest extant, last surviving examples typical of a period, or they are machines with some unusual distinction.

Landmarks, sites and collections of historic importance to mechanical engineering are designated by ASME through its History and Heritage Landmarks Program. Landmark status indicates that the artifact, site or collection represents a significant step forward in the evolution of mechanical engineering and is the best known example of its kind. A plaque is presented for display, a commemorative brochure is prepared, and a roster is kept to promote long-term recognition and preservation efforts.

The breadth of our mechanical engineering heritage is evident in the landmarks program. Nearly 250 landmarks have been designated since the program began in 1971.The landmarks program also includes:

• Mechanical Engineering Heritage Sites, or particular locales at which some event or development occurred or which some machine, building, or complex of significance occupied.
• Mechanical Engineering Heritage Collections,which refers to a museum or collection that includes related objects of special significance to, but not necessarily a major evolutionary step in, the historical development of mechanical engineering.

The History and Heritage Landmarks program intends:

• To foster the preservation of the physical remains of historically important engineering works
• To encourage mechanical engineers and others to become aware of their technological heritage
• To inform the public of such contributions
• To provide an annotated roster of landmarks,sites, and collections in mechanical engineering for engineers, students,educators, historians, scholars, and travelers
• To promote these achievements in materials for use by the public
• To call attention to the noteworthy mechanical engineers who were associated with the invention, development, or production of these singular technological achievements.

This section will serve as a guide to the process and protocols of nominating and designating landmarks. Everything you need to nominate a landmark, heritage site or heritage collection can be found online. Move through the landmark guidelines and criteria (located in the links on the left of the page), then preview the nomination form under "nominating a landmark."

Nominating a Landmark: A nomination form must be submitted to ASME staff.

Ceremony Guide: Once your nomination is submitted and approved, what's next? A ceremony to present the plaque must be carried out by nominators. The History & Heritage Manual 72C is the 30-page Ceremony Guide for Landmark Designations.

Deadlines

The cycle for ASME History and Heritage activities is fairly regular:

To ensure review of Landmark and Engineer-Historian Award nominations at the June Annual Meeting please submit them by April 1. However, a nomination can be submitted at any time of year.

Contact the H&H Staff Liaison if you have questions - history@asme.org