Aside from being the lamest team name of the noun-nominalized verb form in the Big Ten — shoutout to the Cornhuskers — the Boilermaker has an aura of mystery about it.
For one, what the hell is it?
According to Wikipedia, a boilermaker is “a trained tradesperson whofabricatessteel, iron, or copper into boilers and other large containers intended to hold hot gas or liquid, as well as maintains and repairs boilers and boiler systems.”
The nickname is truly only intimidating if you are an employer dealing with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, or the labor union which protects boilermakers in the US and Canada.
So how did Purdue land on the boilermaker as the nickname to strike fear into the hearts of their opponents?
According to local legend, it arose from a series of games against Wabash College in nearby Crawfordsville, Indiana. When Purdue beat Wabash 18-4 in 1889, opposing fans began shouting devastating insults at the players, calling them “a great big burly gang of corn-huskers,” “grangers,” “pumpkin-shuckers,” “rail-splitters,” “blacksmiths,” “cornfield sailors,” and “foundry hands.”
Two years later, Purdue molly-whopped Wabash 44-0, and the Crawfordsville Daily Argus News ran the headline: “Slaughter of Innocents: Wabash Snowed Completely Under by the Burly Boiler Makers from Purdue.”
Not realizing this was an insult, Purdue officially adopted the nickname the following year in 1892.
Presumably, the press settled on this name out of jealousy over Purdue’s reputation for giving students hands-on education, such as working on a real-life locomotive, but just imagine what could have been if the Crawfordsville Daily Argus News printed one of the other insults instead. We were one editorial decision away from Penn State playing the Purdue Cornfield Sailors tomorrow.
Anthony is a senior *gasp* majoring in Economics and a lifetime Costco Executive Member. If you are an employer, please hire him. Otherwise, direct all complaints to [emailprotected].
FAQs
Boilermakers install and maintain boiler systems. Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.
What the hell is a boilermaker? ›
The boilermaker is ostensibly named for a hardworking craftsman, a 19th Century evolution of the blacksmith, who made complex steel fabrications like — *ahem* — boilers.
How many questions are on the boilermaker test? ›
The Red Seal Exam for this trade has 120 questions.
What's it like being a boilermaker? ›
The work of a boilermaker can be physically challenging since it often takes place in small spaces and extreme temperatures.
What are boilermakers duties? ›
Boilermakers are tradespeople who cut, shape, assemble and weld steel to construct and repair metal products and structures for boilers, ships, iron and steel structures and other vessels. They also test completed boilers and perform routine maintenance.
Is a boilermaker just a welder? ›
Boilermakers primarily use welding and cutting equipment, but can also utilize tools to fuse, separate, and shape metal plates, sections, and components. Boilermakers contribute to the building, repair or maintenance of structures, including blast furnaces, bridges, rocket boosters, elevators, dams, and locomotives.
What does "boilermaker" mean in slang? ›
US, Informal. a drink of whiskey in beer or with beer as a chaser.
Why do they call it a boilermaker? ›
History. Some suggest the drink gets its name from its popularity among literal boilermakers, the 19th-century tradesmen who fabricated iron boilers for steamships and steam locomotives. As the legend goes, to cap off a day of work, they would ask for a beer and a shot of whiskey at their neighborhood bars.
What is the expression boiler maker? ›
noun
- a person who works with metal in heavy industry; plater or welder.
- slang. a beer drink consisting of half of draught mild and half of bottled brown ale.
- slang. a drink of whisky followed by a beer chaser.
9 general boilermaker interview questions
- What got you interested in the boilermaker position?
- What's the biggest challenge that the boilermaker profession faces today, and how can you overcome it?
- Can you describe some of the best techniques for fabricating steel into a boiler?
The Blue-Collar Test for Boiler Makers covers a range of skills that are fundamental to the role. These include blueprint reading, welding and fabrication skills, knowledge of boiler systems and components, mechanical aptitude, and adherence to safety protocols.
Do Boilermakers use math? ›
Actually, there is quite a bit of math, in designing and building boilers. Most of it is not too difficult.
What exactly do boilermakers do? ›
Boilermakers are tradespeople who cut, shape, assemble and weld steel to construct and repair metal products and structures for boilers, ships, iron and steel structures and other vessels. They also test completed boilers and perform routine maintenance.
What is the top pay for a boilermaker? ›
What are the risks of boilermaker? ›
- Asbestos disease.
- Occupational asthma.
- Inhalation diseases: Welding fume fever & polymer fume fever.
- Contact dermatitis.
- Neurologic effects.
How Much Do Boilermaker Jobs Pay per Month?
| Annual Salary | Weekly Pay |
|---|
| Top Earners | $68,000 | $1,307 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,500 | $1,201 |
| Average | $56,233 | $1,081 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,500 | $990 |
A Boilermaker is exactly as it sounds: a person that makes boilers. Purdue then obtained a railroad engine for its new locomotive laboratory in 1891, which was a step toward becoming a school specializing in engineering and agriculture, according to the school.
What is the difference between boilermaker and Ironworker? ›
Boilermaking focuses on the construction, installation, and maintenance of large containers used for storing and transporting liquids and gases. Ironworking focuses on the fabrication and installation of structural steel and other metal components in building construction.
What are the disadvantages of a boilermaker? ›
Fumes: The fumes that boilermakers are exposed to while working can be deadly. Breathing in vapors on the job can lead to cancer and other illnesses.
