Originally Posted by
Papa Smurf
My own introduction to the wonders of the engineering world also started with Meccano, and holding things for my Dad in his workshop. At the time he was studying to become a medical specialist (Ophthalmology). He burglar-proofed our home because he had to go overseas to do his specialist examinations, and I held the bucking bar for the rivetting. Once he had qualified he was able to indulge himself and assembled one of the best-equipped home workshops I know of, and this was all available to me as a schoolboy.
At highschool we had 2 years of Woodwork, followed by 2 years of Metalwork as an option. Our teacher recognised my interest, and while the others built various items of furniture for their woodwork projects, he assisted me to build a small sailboat. Similarly in Metalwork, I was allowed to make a photographic enlarger. I went on to an apprenticeship as a Fitter and Turner, and followed that with the necessary studies and examinations to qualify as a mechanical engineer when I was 30.
Sadly, our education system no longer provides those opportunities, and I bought my shaper from a school - the shaper had been unused for some 15 years.