Art about Machines, Made by a Human
01. Centrifugal Pump
Acrylic paint, drawing media and collage on 20"by 24" canvas, 2025.
About the subject
Centrifugal Pump. By efficiently moving fluids in manufacturing plants, centrifugal pumps are vital to modern society. They play an indispensable role enabling the production of fluids in critical markets such as water & wastewater, food & beverage, agriculture, pulp & paper, chemical, oil & gas and steel.
Function. The centrifugal pump exists to transport liquid reliably in continuous or controlled volume applications, enabling production within an industrial process plant or factory. They convert rotational kinetic energy from an electric motor into hydrodynamic energy that drives fluid flow. The fluid enters the pump impeller near the rotating axis and is accelerated by the impeller, flowing radially outward into a casing chamber from which it exits at elevated pressure.
Structure. At the heart of the pump is a rotating impeller enclosed within a volute casing. Bearings support the shaft, mechanical seals contain the liquid under pressure, and a rigid frame absorbs vibration and hydraulic forces. Geometry, velocity and pressure interact within the casing - an elegant expression of fluid dynamics rendered in a simple metal housing.
History. The centrifugal pump originated in the late 17th century, with French physicist Denis Papin creating the first straight-vane model in 1687, primarily for drainage. While early designs date back to 1475, significant industrial development occurred in the 1800s with curved vanes (John Appold, 1851) and steam power. Modern high-speed electric motors in the 20th century allowed centrifugal pumps to become more compact and efficient, driving their widespread use.
Inspiration: Centrifugal pump on a test stand in Chicago, IL.
02. Yamaha Acoustic Guitar
Acrylic paint, drawing media and collage on 20"by 24" canvas, 2025.
About the subject
Yamaha Acoustic Guitar. The Yamaha guitar represents a finely tuned balance between engineering technology and musical expression. Known for consistency, reliability and thoughtful design, Yamaha guitars have made high-quality instruments accessible to generations of musicians. This guitar is a special machine because it is not designed to make things, but to manufacture sound that fosters human connection.
Function. The guitar transforms human touch into musical notes, chords and melodies. Energy from the player’s hands vibrates the strings, which are then amplified by the wooden body into audible tones. Every note depends on a direct intimate feedback loop between human and instrument where pressure, timing and emotion shape the outcome. The guitar becomes a conduit for human expression and shared experience.
Structure. The guitar is precisely engineered. Tensioned steel or nylon strings stretch across a carefully scaled neck, transmitting force through the bridge into a resonant soundboard. Internal bracing manages competing demands of strength and vibration while geometry governs intonation and playability. For the guitar, structure is inseparable from sound quality, an example of form following function.
History . Founded in Japan in 1887, Yamaha began producing guitars in the mid-20th century and quickly earned a reputation for technical rigor and musical distinction. By combining traditional luthiery with modern manufacturing methods, Yamaha helped democratize music-making worldwide. .
Inspiration. A friend performing with a Yamaha guitar at Bobby's Eastside in Forest Park, IL.
03. Spinning Jenny
Acrylic paint, drawing media and collage on 20"by 24" canvas, 2026.
About the subject
The Spinning Jenny is one of the foundational machines of the Industrial Revolution transforming the slow craft of hand spinning wool fibers for cloth into mechanized production. It multiplied the output of a single worker many times over and marked a profound turning point in textile manufacturing when human labor was amplified by machines for efficiency on an unprecedented scale and concern over job loss rose to new heights.
Function. The Spinning Jenny exists to spin wool fibers into thread for cloth production. Before mechanization, a craft worker, called a spinner, could produce only a single strand at a time using a spinning wheel. The Spinning Jenny allowed one operator to draw and twist multiple threads simultaneously, dramatically increasing productivity. It reflects a new relationship between human and machine where one person could direct many motions at once, turning repetitive labor into coordinated mechanical action.
Structure. The machine’s early design is straightforward. Eight spindles were attached to one end of a wooden frame. A set of eight rovings (fluffy bundles of wool fiber) were attached to a beam on the frame. When the rovings were drawn out, they passed through two horizontal bars of wood that could be moved along the top of the frame by the spinner's left hand thus extending the thread. The spinner used their right hand to rapidly turn a wheel which caused all the spindles to rotate simultaneously, each twisting fiber into yarn.
History. Introduced around 1764 in England, the Spinning Jenny quickly spread through the textile industry, especially for wool and cotton production. It became one of several key inventions that accelerated industrial textile manufacturing in the late 18th century. Beyond its technical impact, the machine symbolized a broader shift in society toward factories and mechanized labor that both drove the industrial revolution and created labor unrest.
The Spinning Jenny and the Luddite movement are deeply intertwined in the history of the Industrial Revolution, representing the collision between rapid technological innovation and traditional work. The Spinning Jenny was a labor-saving device that catalyzed the move toward factory-based production. The Luddites were textile workers who destroyed machinery, including Spinning Jennies, in protest against job displacement and economic hardship.
Inspiration. Out of nowhere, the Spinning Jenny idea came to mind. I did some research and was facinated by it's impact on the industrial revolution and the parallels between the Luddite protest against technology and the current concerns about the impact of AI on jobs.
04. Ingersoll Rand Compressor
Acrylic paint, drawing media and collage on 20"by 24" canvas, 2026.
About the subject
The Ingersoll Rand gas compressor was the cornerstone of early 20th century energy production, particularly in coal gasification plants. These machines helped to transform raw coal into coal gas that was used to illuminate city street light programs. They represent the critical intersection of engineering ingenuity and heavy machinery. These machines were designed to handle immense pressure necessary to drive the energy manufacturing systems of a growing industrial world.
Function. The Ingersoll Rand compressors exist to perform two functions in the production of coal gas. First, they increases the pressure needed for the coal-to-gas production process and help operators maintain steady, controllable gas production. Second, they increases the pressure of coal-derived gas, enabling it to flow through pipelines to the city streetlight system and serve as the energy for nighttime illumination.
Structure. Early Ingersoll Rand compressors were large, robust and built to endure continuous operation under high stress. Cast-iron frames supported reciprocating pistons, crankshafts and flywheels while valves and cylinders directed gas flow under intense pressure. The machine’s geometry, mass and mechanical linkages were meticulously engineered to convert rotational motion into compressed gas efficiently, safely and reliably.
History. Installed in coal gasification plants in the first decades of the 20th century, Ingersoll Rand compressors helped supply urban areas with manufactured gas before widespread electricity and natural gas networks. These machines reflect both the technological ambition of the period and the foundational role of industrial machinery in shaping modern energy infrastructure. Today, they stand as historical artifacts of a time when human expertise and mechanical engineering combined to power early industrial progress.
Inspiration. It was so interesting to visit Gas Works Park in Seattle. I immediately envisioned a painting. Gas Works Park was built on a former coal gasification plant with a panoramic view the Lake Union and the city skyline. Many of the industrial artifacts were left in place. The "play barn" features the compressor in the picture above.
05. Bridgeport Metalworking Mill
Acrylic paint, drawing media and collage on paper, mounted on an 12" by 16" wood panel, 2024.
About the subject
Bridgeport Metalworking Mill. The Bridgeport vertical milling machine is an icon of modern manufacturing. It represents the standard that defined how metal is shaped in machine shops and manufacturing plants for decades. Its significance lies in its rigidity, precision and versatility bringing advanced machining capability within reach of skilled human hands.
Function. Controlled by human operators, this machine can mill, drill and bore a workpiece to create features like flats, slots, holes. In addition, it is a highly versatile machine capable of machining highly complex geometries. The head can tilt in two directions and move in and out, allowing for complex profile machining. For standard operations, the Bridgeport mill can maintain tolerances within +/- .002 per inch.
Structure . At the heart of the Bridgeport is its vertical spindle and quill supported by a rigid knee-and-column structure. Operators use handwheels to control motion along three axes, converting rotation into linear travel with precision. The tilting head expands geometric possibility, allowing compound angles and spatial complexity.
History . Introduced in the late 1930s, the Bridgeport mill became ubiquitous after World War II, shaping the postwar manufacturing landscape. For decades it served as the first serious machine encountered by aspiring machinists and the trusted workhorse of professional machine shops and factories. Its legacy endures as a symbol of how machines and humans work together to build things.
Inspiration: Bridgeport mill at a machine shop in Franklin Park, IL
06. McNeilus Concrete Mixer Truck
Acrylic paint, drawing media and collage on paper, mounted on an 18" by 24" wood panel, 2025.
About the subject
McNeilus Concrete Mixer Truck. Thisconcrete mixer truck is a moving factory designed to deliver concrete - one of society’s most essential materials - precisely when and where it is needed. Ubiquitous on construction sites and often spotted in residential communities, it represents a vital yet rarely observed machine required to build permanent structures.
Function. This machine exists to keep concrete in a workable state from loading at a batch plant to delivering the onsite pour. As the large steel drum rotates, it continually mixes aggregate, cement and water preserving a fluid consistency and allowing time to reach a jobsite before hardening.
Delivery chutes on a concrete mixer truck are used to transfer concrete from the mixing drum to the precise intended location in a controlled manner. They reduce labor and enable precise placement typically extending about 14–15 feet to reach forms or foundations.
Structure . A helical-bladed steel drum dominates the machine, its geometry engineered to both mix and discharge material through controlled rotation. Power is transmitted from the truck’s engine through hydraulic systems that manage torque, speed, and load. The structure is rugged and durable. It bears extreme weight as frames, bearings and gears absorb constant stress of forces measured in tons.
An extra axle seen resting above the back of these machines, commonly known as lift axels, are used to distribute heavy loads across more wheels. They are designed to be raised or lowered depending on the machines load. Lowering them allows the truck to comply with state-specific bridge weight regulations while hauling full loads, improves stability and protects roads from damage.
History. McNeilus began producing concrete mixer trucks in the early 1970s, helping modernize ready-mix delivery as construction demands accelerated. Their designs reflect decades of refinement focused on durability, efficiency and operator safety. The concrete mixer truck stands as an unsung collaborator in the built environment—linking human planning, engineered materials, and physical labor into lasting structures.
Inspiration: McNeilus concrete truck pouring concrete for a garage foundation in Oak Park, IL.
07. Okuma CNC Metalworking Lathe
Acrylic paint, drawing media and collage on paper, mounted on an 18" by 24" wood panel, 2025.
About the subject
The Okuma CNC lathe is a modern evolution of the traditional manual lathe, marrying decades of mechanical precision with computerized control. Produced by Okuma Corporation, it represents the cutting edge of metalworking where human skill is amplified by software, sensors, and automated motion, enabling complexity and precision beyond the previous generation of manual machines.
Function. This lathe exists to shape metal into precise components for aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and countless industrial applications. Unlike manual lathes, the CNC system translates software instructions into precise cutting tool movement, allowing operators to produce precision parts at scale automatically. Yet, human and machine interaction remains critical. Operators develop and load the software program for each distinct part, change the workholding system for each for each new operation and control the machines operating functions.
Structure. At its core, the Okuma lathe combines a rigid cast-iron bed structure, a rotating spindle and a movable carriage with multiple tool stations. Motors, ball screws and linear guides coordinate motion along three axes while sensors monitor position, force and rotation. The integration of digital technology, electronics and mechanics ensures that torque, speed and feed rates are balanced perfectly, turning rotational energy into highly controlled material removal.
History. Okuma introduced its CNC lathes in the late 20th century as digital control transformed manufacturing. Building on a legacy of precision metalworking, these machines helped industries move from low volume manual operation to automated, repeatable production with even greater accuracy. The CNC lathe exemplifies modern industrial capability, where mechanical machines converge with digital technology to enable human operators to produce more efficiently and at higher quality.
Inspiration: Okuma CNC lathe at my machine shop in Franklin Park, IL.
08. Leblond Metalworking Lathe
Acrylic paint, drawing media and collage on paper, mounted on an 16" by 20" wood panel, 2024.
About the subject
LeBlond Metalworking Lathe. The LeBlond lathe stands as one of the most influential machines in American manufacturing. Revered for its precision, durability and adaptability, the LeBlond lathe became a backbone of factories, machine shops and vocational schools.
Function . At its core, this metal cutting lathe exists to shape rotating metals - steel, cast iron, aluminum and brass - into useful parts via turning, threading and drilling a workpiece against a stationary cutting tool. Parts created include shafts, bushings, crankshafts, spindles, axels and a wide variety of custom parts. Every part produced depends on coordination between a human operator and the machine’s mechanical motion making the lathe a direct extension of human intent and skill.
Structure . Built around a rigid cast-iron bed, the LeBlond lathe balances mass and precision. A metal workpiece held in a chuck on the headstock delivers rotational movement. A stationary cutting tool mounted on a carriage is fed against it to remove material. It uses an electric motor for power, a gearbox for speeds / feeds and a leadscrew for precise tolerances and repeatability.
History. Introduced in the early 20th century by the R.K. LeBlond Machine Tool Company of Cincinnati, these lathes saw widespread use through mid-century, particularly during World War II. They helped enable American industrial capability producing the parts for critical industrial sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, agriculture and mining.
Inspiration: LeBlond lathe at a machine shop in Franklin Park, IL.
09. Felt and Trek Racing Bycycles
Acrylic paint, drawing media and collage on paper, mounted on an 18" by 24" wood panel, 2025.
About the subject
Felt and Trek Racing Bicycles. Racing bicycles are interesting because they are not only designed to be completely integrated with the human rider but also for the absolute minimization of aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance and weight. This painting features a Trek Domane road racing bike and a Felt triathlon bike.
Function. Both machines exist to convert human power into forward movement that maximizes speed and efficiency. The Trek Domane is a premier endurance road bike special for its "smoother is faster" philosophy, featuring vibration-damping carbon fiber for comfort yet stiffness for speed. The Felt triathlon bike is specifically designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency and long-distance triathlon performance, most notably through an aerodynamic frame design.
Structure. The Trek Domane’s frame angles, longer wheelbase and vibration-damping features favor stability and endurance, allowing the rider to remain comfortable over rough roads and long distances. The Felt triathlon bike adopts a radically forward position supported by aerodynamic bars that narrow the rider’s profile to the wind. Deep-section wheels, sculpted frame tubes, and integrated components work together to reduce drag. In both designs, carbon fiber frames balance stiffness and lightness, structures engineered to channel human force efficiently into the road.
History. Modern performance bicycles like these emerged from decades of refinement in design and materials. Companies such as Trek Bicycle Corporation and Felt Bicycles helped define the evolution of road racing and triathlon equipment in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Inspiration. My wife's triathlon bike (top) and Trek road bike.
10. Bandit Wood Chipper
Acrylic paint, drawing media and collage on 20"by 24" canvas, 2025.
About the subject
Bandit Wood Chipper. The Bandit commercial woodchipper transforms tree branches and trunks into uniform wood chips through a high-energy cutting system. Its significance lies in its ability to transform organic wood debris into usable material, bringing efficiency and safety to otherwise demanding and dangerous human work.
Function. The woodchipper functions as a material-reduction machine. Tree limbs and trunks are drawn into the infeed system and conveyed toward a rotating cutting mechanism where hardened steel knives shear wood into chips. The woodchips are expelled through a directional discharge chute into a dump truck for reuse as organic landscape material for homeowners, landscapers and municipalities.
Structure . At its core is a high-inertia steel flywheel or drum fitted with hardened knives, driven by a diesel engine and fed by hydraulically powered rollers. The geometry of the infeed chute manages forces and operator distance while mass and rotational energy do the cutting. Structural steel frames absorb vibration and shock, turning horsepower into controlled repeatable work.
History . Bandit Industries was founded in the early 1980s and became a leader in commercial wood chipping equipment as demand grew for residential and commercial landscaping mulch. These machines reflect a late 20th century shift toward safer, more powerful and more reliable industrial machines.
Inspiration. Bandit wood chipper in an Oak Park, IL residential neighborhood.
11. Mastercraft Wake Boat
Acrylic paint, drawing media and collage on paper, mounted on an 18" by 24" wood panel, 2025
About the subject
Mastercraft Wake Boat. This boat is a versatile 21-foot V-drive inboard designed for wakesurfing, wakeboarding, and skiing. It is known for its spacious seating for up to 14 people, ample storage, and high-quality construction, making it a popular multi-sport boat with the feel of a larger vessel.
Function. The boat’s primary function is to generate hydrodynamic force for movement and controlled wakes for wakeboarding, wake surfing, and waterskiing. By carefully managing speed, ballast weight, and hull displacement, the X10 forms a sculpted wake that riders use as a ramp and wave. Here, the machine acts as a collaborator: the driver, rider, and boat work together, transforming engine power and water flow into an opportunity for athletic activity and shared recreation.
Structure. The X10’s deep-V fiberglass hull is engineered to displace water in predictable ways, while a powerful V8 inboard motor places the propeller safely beneath the hull. Ballast tanks add adjustable weight to enlarge and shape the wake. A powerful marine engine provides steady torque, while the tower structure supports tow lines above the wake, improving lift and rider control.
History. Wake sports grew rapidly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, prompting specialized boat designs that could intentionally shape wakes rather than minimize them. MasterCraft, founded in 1968, became one of the leading innovators in this field, refining hull forms, ballast systems, and onboard controls. Boats like the X10 reflect this evolution—machines engineered not only to move across water, but to shape the water itself for human water sports.
Inspiration. My son's Mastercraft wake boat at Lake Union in Seattle, WA.
12. Konica Minolta X-Ray Machine
Acrylic paint, drawing media and collage on paper, mounted on an 18" by 24" wood panel, 2026
About the subject
The Konica Minolta X-Ray Machine. This machine is designed for health care diagnostics to reveal the hidden structure of the human body. Unlike most industrial machines this one works by translating invisible radiation into images that guide medical understanding. It represents the meeting point of advanced imaging technology and a fundamental need to see inside us and advance health care.
Function. This machine exists to create diagnostic images of bones, joints and internal structures using X-ray radiation. A controlled beam passes through the body and is captured by a digital detector where differences in density become visible. Physicians rely on these images to diagnose fractures, detect disease and guide treatment. The machine becomes an intermediary between patient and physician, providing unseen information into actionable knowledge.
Structure. The U-arm design gives this machine its distinctive geometry. A rigid, rotating arm that holds the X-ray tube on one side and the digital detector on the other. This configuration allows both components to move together with precise alignment positioning the imaging system around a standing or seated patient. Motors, sensors, and software coordinate motion and exposure timing while shielding and calibration systems manage radiation safely. The result is a carefully balanced structure where mechanics, electronics and digital imaging operate as a unified system.
History. The Konica Minolta X-Ray machine emerged in the early 21st century as hospitals transitioned from film to fully digital imaging. Building on more than a century of medical imaging development since the discovery of X-rays in 1895, companies like Konica Minolta helped refine faster detectors, automated positioning, and integrated software workflows. This X-ray machine is an example of one of medicine’s most transformative technologies continuing the long human effort to see, understand and care for human health.
Inspiration. While getting an X-ray in Chicago I learned enough about this machine to realize it's amazing.