'In 1922, Rudyard Kipling was commissioned to create a ceremony for
graduating Canadian engineering students. This secret "Ritual of the
Calling of an Engineer," which I went through in 1964, is held in
early May. The only public manifestation is that Canadian engineers
wear, on the little finger of the working hand, an Iron Ring
symbolizing the engineering profession.
'Legend has it that the original iron rings were made from steel
salvaged after the collapse of the Quebec Bridge in 1907, an
engineering failure of such magnitude that it has not been forgotten
to this day. Modern iron rings are stainless steel; mine, which
predates that era, rusted for months until my finger came to an
understanding with it. I often identify Canadian engineers by their
rings, and I still have the one that my father received in 1931 and
wore until his death.'