ASME designates Hughes Christensen drill bit as Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has named the Hughes Christensen Two-Cone Drill Bit as a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. In an Aug. 10 ceremony at the Baker Hughes drill bit technology facility in The Woodlands, ASME presented the company with a plaque commemorating the award on the 100th anniversary of the two-cone drill bit patent. An early production two-cone drill bit will be permanently displayed in the lobby of the facility.
"The Hughes two-cone drill bit launched Hughes Tool Company," said Scott Schmidt, president of Baker Hughes' Hughes Christensen product line. "Perhaps more important, many experts view it as a key technology that ushered in a new era of abundant, inexpensive fuel and laid the foundation for Henry Ford's successful Model-T and the automobile age. We are honored the ASME is recognizing this truly game-changing technology."
Prior to 1909, the traditional fishtail bit scraped the rock and quickly dulled in service. The Hughes two-cone bit's revolutionary rolling action crushed hard-rock formations, allowing drillers to tap vast oil reservoirs deep below the surface. In 1933, Hughes Tool Company enhanced the two-cone bit concept with the Tricone three-cone drill bit.
In 1987, Hughes Tool Company merged with Baker International to form Baker Hughes Incorporated. Hughes Christensen is the Baker Hughes drill bit product line.
The ASME History and Heritage Landmarks Program began in 1971. The History and Heritage Committee provides a public service by examining, noting, recording, and acknowledging significant mechanical engineering achievements. The program has designated nearly 250 landmarks as historical mechanical engineering landmarks, heritage collections, or heritage sites. Each represents a progressive step in the evolution of mechanical engineering and its significance to society. Past designees include the US standard screw threads, Drake oil well, Wright Flyer III, Ford Model-T, Sikorsky VS-300 helicopter, Howard Hughes flying boat, Saturn V rocket, and the Hughes Glomar Explorer.
