Pioneers
of Instrumentation
by Jesse Yoder
One of the most interesting and exciting aspects of
studying the flowmeter market is documenting the history of various
flowmeter technologies. But
this history is closely linked to the creation and history of companies
that were formed to develop these technologies.
There is usually one person, or a small group of people, behind the
formation of these flow companies.
Pioneers of Instrumentation is the name for a new
project whose purpose is to identify and interview the inventors of flow
technologies and the founders of companies created to develop these
technologies. These
interviews will seek to shed light on the development of these
technologies by looking at the technologies from the points of view of the
founders. It will also seek
to document the development of these technologies by tracing their
development over time through different companies.
I believe that these interviews will be valuable in
themselves. Eventually, I
hope to weave them into a more extended account of the various flow
technologies. I am also
hopeful that this will shed light on the creative process by which these
technologies were invented. Perhaps
this will also lead to new insights into how these technologies can be
further developed, or even combined with each other.
I am pleased to report that there is already a great
deal of enthusiasm for this project among the people I’ve already
contacted about it. The
future of flow is wide open. I’m
hoping that this project will open the doors to a better understanding of
all flow technologies. If you
wish to participate in this project, or have ideas for it, please send an
email to me at