The Iron Ring is a Canadian Tradition
Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending an Iron Ring ceremony by Camp 12, an event that left me both surprised and profoundly inspired. For many years, the Iron Ring ceremony, a hallmark of Canadian engineering, has been perceived as a private, almost cult-like ritual, shrouded in secrecy. What I witnessed was a transformative celebration that opened its arms wide to embrace not just the ethics and responsibilities of the engineering profession, but also the vibrant tapestry of Canadian engineering achievements. This evolution from a private oath-taking ceremony to a more inclusive celebration marks a significant shift in how the engineering community acknowledges its role in society and its commitment to the future.
The Canadian Iron Ring is a symbol of commitment and humility in the Canadian engineering profession. The ring itself on the pinky finger of the working hand is not a piece of ordinary jewelry but a testament to a deeply rooted tradition in Canadian engineering ethics and responsibility. This article explores the origins of the Iron Ring in Canada and its influence on similar traditions in the United States and worldwide. The article also addresses the criticisms and the evolving nature of engineering ethics, reflecting on how such symbols can inspire a global community of engineers towards greater responsibility and integrity.
History
The Iron Ring tradition originated in 1922, inspired by the tragic collapse of the Quebec Bridge over the Saint Lawrence River near Quebec City in 1907 and 1916. The bridge failures, which resulted in numerous fatalities, highlighted the grave consequences of engineering oversights. Professor Herbert E. T. Haultain, a civil engineering professor at the University of Toronto, proposed the creation of a symbol that would serve as a perpetual reminder of the engineers’ moral and professional obligations to ensure the safety and welfare of the public. Professor Haultain, along with the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC), proposed a ceremony to welcome new graduates and bind them to a shared code of conduct.
With the support of seven past presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada, the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer was established. The first ceremony, conducted in 1925, laid down the foundation for a tradition that has been upheld by engineers across Canada for nearly a century. Today, over 500, 000 engineering graduates across Canada have attended an iron ring ceremony.
“In 1900, construction commenced on the Quebec Bridge, designed to connect Winnipeg and Moncton via the National Trans-Continental Railway. As the project approached completion in 1907, it tragically collapsed under the weight of a locomotive laden with steel, resulting in the loss of 75 lives. A subsequent inquiry revealed that this catastrophic failure was due to a misjudgment by the engineers responsible for the bridge’s design. Tragedy struck once more during a second construction attempt in 1916 when the center span collapsed as it was being hoisted into position, claiming an additional 10 lives. The bridge was finally completed in 1917.” — A Little History Lesson
The Ceremony: The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer
The cornerstone of the Iron Ring tradition is the “Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer.” This ceremony has, until very recently, been privately held at universities or regional chapters and attended only by the candidates and the Obligated Engineers, infuses the ring with its profound meaning. The ritual itself boasts a fascinating history. Professor Haultain enlisted the help of Rudyard Kipling, the famed author of “The Jungle Book.” Kipling crafted the core of the ritual, a powerful oath that emphasizes the engineer’s responsibility to the public good and the importance of “not henceforward suffer or pass, or be privy to the passing of, Bad Workmanship or Faulty Material.”
It is not a graduation ceremony but rather a rite of passage that marks the transition from engineering student to professional. During the ceremony, participants receive an Iron Ring and recite an obligation, which emphasizes humility and the ethical practice of engineering.
The Iron Ring itself is made from either iron or stainless steel, symbolizing the strength and endurance of the profession, as well as the fallibility of engineers. The simplicity of the ring serves as a constant reminder to engineers of their fundamental commitment to society.
Contrary to popular belief, the first Iron Rings were not made from iron sourced from the collapsed Quebec Bridge.
The Corporation of the Seven Wardens
The Corporation of the Seven Wardens is the body that holds the rights and the duty to carry out The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer. The corporation title was adopted by the seven past presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada, and there were the initial seven wardens. The Corporation of the Seven Wardens is organized into 28 regional branches, called camps, numbered by order of establishment. In March 2024, the Seven Wardens updated its mission and vision (see: update on Ritual Review).
Criticism
Despite its noble intentions, the Iron Ring tradition has faced criticism. Some argue that the ceremony is outdated and emphasizes ritual over the evolving nature of engineering ethics and professional development. Others see the exclusivity of the ceremony as a form of gatekeeping that may not fully represent the diversity within the engineering community.
Moreover, as the engineering profession expands to encompass global challenges, including sustainability and digital privacy, there has been calls for the tradition to evolve. Critics advocate for a broader interpretation of the Iron Ring’s symbolism, one that reflects the contemporary and future responsibilities of engineers.
In recent years, there has been a push to modernize the tradition, making it more inclusive and reflective of the profession’s current and future challenges. Efforts to broaden the scope of the ethical obligation recited during the ceremony, as well as initiatives to embrace diversity and inclusion within the engineering community, signify a shift towards a more contemporary interpretation of the Iron Ring tradition. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Iron Ring Ceremony was held virtually, and family members and others got to watch it.
The ceremony I attended for Camp 12 was open to family members of Obligating Engineers — it was truly a celebration of Canadian Engineering, and I very much like how it ended with a couple of student awards and an invited speaker — a engineer to inspire the next generation of engineers.
United States: Order of the Engineer
The Order of the Engineer was founded in the United States in 1970, following a proposal by Dr. Ervin G. Bailey at a conference in 1966. The idea was to create a ceremonial linkage to the Canadian Iron Ring tradition, to foster a spirit of pride and responsibility in the engineering profession. The first U.S. ceremony took place at the Cleveland State University’s Fenn College of Engineering, with 170 engineering seniors and graduate students being inducted.
The U.S. Order of the Engineer borrows several key elements from Canada’s Iron Ring tradition:
- Symbolic Ring: Like the Canadian Iron Ring, the Order of the Engineer provides inductees with a ring, known as the Engineer’s Ring, which is worn on the pinky finger of the working hand. This ring is made of stainless steel in the U.S. tradition, as opposed to iron.
- Obligation Ceremony: Both traditions include a ceremony where participants swear an oath or recite an obligation. The U.S. version, while inspired by the Canadian ceremony, involves the recitation of the “Obligation of the Engineer,” a statement that emphasizes the ethical and professional responsibility of engineers to society.
Today, the Order of the Engineer has grown significantly in the United States, with local chapters established across many universities and colleges, as well as professional organizations. Engineering graduates and professionals voluntarily join the Order by participating in a ceremony where they accept the Obligation of the Engineer and receive the Engineer’s Ring.
Other Countries
Many countries and engineering organizations have their own ways of emphasizing the importance of ethics, responsibility, and professionalism in engineering, though they might not all involve a physical symbol like a ring. For example, professional engineering bodies in many countries require members to adhere to a code of ethics as part of their professional registration or licensure process, often accompanied by continuing education in ethics and professional standards.
The Iron Ring is a deeply entrenched symbol within the Canadian engineering profession, embodying the ethical commitments and responsibilities engineers owe to society. While rooted in tradition, it is subject to the changing tides of professional practice and societal expectations. As the engineering community continues to evolve, so too will the traditions that bind it, ensuring that the Iron Ring remains a relevant and powerful reminder of the nobility and gravity of the engineering profession.
Probe further
Infrastructure Disaster — Quebec Bridge 1907
The Calling of an Engineering — Background
Seven Wardens — Update on Ritual Review
