A Day at the Smithsonian

Dec. 10, 2015

Machine Design recently visited the Smithsonian’s Museum of American History. A wing is dedicated to inventions and how they shaped American culture.

Jeff Kerns

Machine Design recently visited the Smithsonian’s Museum of American History. A wing is dedicated to inventions and how they shaped American culture. According to the museum curator, it has been Americans’ innovation and strong ties to manufacturing that developed our culture and will continue to shape our future. One of the main things the exhibits showed was that failure is more accepted as a learning tool in the United States than in other countries. This tradition has allowed inventors to tinker and try things that haven’t been done before without fear of failure.

About the Author

Jeff Kerns | Technology Editor

Studying mechanical engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), he worked in the Polymer Research Lab. Utilizing RIT’s co-op program Jeff worked for two aerospace companies focusing on drafting, quality, and manufacturing for aerospace fasteners and metallurgy. He also studied abroad living in Dubrovnik, Croatia. After college, he became a commissioning engineer, traveling the world working on precision rotary equipment. Then he attended a few masters courses at the local college, and helped an automation company build equipment.

Growing up in Lancaster County, PA he always liked to tinker, build, and invent. He is ecstatic to be at Machine Design Magazine in New York City and looks forward to producing valuable information in the mechanical industry.

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