Publications (April 01, 2006)

Readings in Historical Metallurgy

Any metallurgist who does not grasp the historical background of the profession, its relation to the chemical industry, and its connection to today’s technology is missing a great deal in his or her education. A recently published book hopes to fill that gap.

Readings in Historical Metallurgy (vol.1) by Fathi Habashi is a supplement to A History of Metallurgy, edited by Habashi in 1994. In the present work he records the changes in metallurgical unit operations that have taken place over the centuries.

The book contains over 165 biographical notes of the scientists and engineers who contributed to this endeavour, and selected references in each chapter for further reading.

A Field Guide to the Identification of Pebbles

Need some help with, “Look what I found. What kind of pebble is this?” Have you ever been walking on the beach and wondered what that pebble or rock is? Do you ever wonder what stories rock tell? If so, then help is at hand. Dr. Eileen Van der Flier-Keller, a geologist in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria, has developed A Field Guide to the Identification of Pebbles. This full-colour, laminated easy-to-use guide, folded to fit in your pocket, has over 80 beautiful photographs of pebbles from beaches and rivers. Use the photo to identify over 28 different types of rocks and minerals.

A great resource for Earth Science curriculum units in schools, the short text deals with how rocks form and how to tell if a rock is igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic. Is also provides some fun facts about minerals in our daily lives.

Mining companies might want to consider funding the distribution of this excellent field guide in the schools and communities near where they work.