Why this article is important:
- The article highlights the achievements of Process Automation Hall of Fame inductees, showcasing key innovations and their impact on process control and automation.
- Learning about the backgrounds and contributions of industry pioneers can inspire current and future process engineers to think creatively and strive for innovation.
Everyone loves to see the signs of spring. Whether the start of baseball spring training in Florida, bluebonnets blooming in Texas, or snow thawing in Minnesota, spring tends to put most of us in a better mood. Over the last few years, one of my favorite signs of spring is the commencement of the annual Process Automation Hall of Fame inductions. March Madness for me includes interviewing visionaries and innovators and learning their fascinating stories.
In the process (no pun intended), I learn about many of the notable technologies that have shaped the industry through the years. This year was no different. I learned about the development of DeltaV from Duncan Schleiss and was intrigued by the evolution of distributed control technology through the years. Sandy Vasser explained how automation helped reshape offshore oil and gas production. John Hedengren regaled me with tales of how runners (hey, I’m one of those so my ears perked up) can use their cell phones these days to better their performance and avoid injuries.
You can read their stories in our cover story in the April/May issue of Control or listen to this year’s three inductees tell it in their own words on the Control Amplified podcast.
This year, these conversations started me thinking about some of the biggest innovations in process control—those technologies and processes that reshaped our industry and made us more productive and efficient. I wonder what would make up the Mount Rushmore of process control innovations.
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This is where you come in. I haven’t been around nearly long enough to seriously opine on such honors, but I bet many of you have your own opinions on what technologies you’d like to see on that mountain. So, let’s hear it.
While we can’t chisel them into a hillside, we’ll average out the results and come up with four process control innovations to grace our mythological mountain. Stay tuned.
Use the survey embedded in this column to tell us your choices, or feel free to send them to me directly at [email protected].
Looking forward to your thoughts.
