My grandfather was a machinist. Back in the beginning of the
twentieth century, a machinist brought their toolbox with them even on
interviews. If you had a H. Gerstner & Sons toolbox, you were almost
guaranteed a position. My grandfather had such a box filled with bits
and taps and all the shiny tools of his trade. From the stories I've
heard, he was an incredible designer and full of ideas, coming up with
many patents as he and his brother started up their own company, Huot Manufacturing.
Unfortunately,
I never met my grandfather. He died of a heart attack as a young man;
my dad was only five years old at the time. Inspired by the toolbox he
found to suddenly be in his possession, my dad grew up to be an
incredible machinist in his own right and understood how things work
better than anyone.
I was not gifted with the same
mind, but I was gifted with my grandfather's toolbox this past week.
Because I can't make heads or tails of the tools inside, I decided to
fill it with the tools of my trade. I have my sculpting, carving, and
cutting tools nicely organized in its drawers along with my brushes and
paints.
Having
the box in my studio has infused the entire house with artistic
inspiration. Not only have I been hammering out new projects all week
long, but so have my children, and even a cousin. I am grateful for this
toolbox, knowing its history, and thinking of the strong hands that
once held it.