A History of Valves
The Great Teflon War
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- Published on Friday, 12 April 2013 10:53
- Written by Greg Johnson
You might call it either the “Great Teflon War” or “The Battle of Massachusetts,” but either way, the fight took place in the courtrooms of The Bay State, rather than in its cities or countryside. No matter how it’s labeled, however, the victory prize was substantial: rights to the patent for the first functional bidirectional elastomer-seated ball valve.
A History Made in Metal
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- Published on Monday, 07 January 2013 15:48
- Written by Greg Johnson
Today’s valve material choices are like a Chinese buffet: Everything imaginable is on the menu. The multitude of choices has grown in response to the demands of customers and their expanding process requirements.
The U.S. Valve Industry in World War II
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- Published on Monday, 08 October 2012 09:46
- Written by Greg Johnson
While valves didn’t directly sink ships or shoot down planes, the American valve industry played an important role in winning World War II for the allies. Without the contribution of the industry, many key chemical and petrochemical developments that helped secure victory could not have been made. In addition, the floating arsenal of democracy—naval ships, liberty ships and victory ships—could not have been built without tons of well-built valves delivered on time.
Standards Spring from the Need to Protect
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- Published on Monday, 09 July 2012 09:20
- Written by Greg Johnson
Most of us in the valve industry take for granted the interchangeability and standardization of the valves produced today. Yet it wasn’t that long ago that valves were individually produced in accordance with the standards of each manufacturer.
From a Humble Beginning, an Industry Rises
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- Published on Thursday, 12 April 2012 08:34
- Written by Greg Johnson
Although VMA members might think the valve industry began with formation of the Valve Manufacturers Association on Sept. 1, 1938, in reality, the industry in this nation was around for 100 years before that date, its roots firmly attached to the American industrial landscape.
