I (Henry Gurr) well remember the day (approx. 1990), when Augusta Georgia Artist Sculptor, Roger Finch, came to USCA to view, a near full-size model, of the Sundial Spire shown photo above. … Mr Runny Floyde, of our RPSEC Building Committee, had constructed a wooden model of what the Sundial Gnomon (Pointer), would look like. This proposed spire had the proportions of the traditional Egyptian Obelisk, and I wanted Roger’s opinion as to its artistic merit, proposed to be made of aluminum metal. …When Roger arrived, the wooden model was standing up in Professor Al Beyer’s Art Studio: This Art Studio, was just below the high windows you see beyond the Spire, in above photo. ….Roger didn’t say anything as he proceeded to walk around the model, bent over in deep thought, hand touching his chin … Thinking about aluminum metal … Suddenly his hand flew up, and he started to sputter-express his idea, that he couldn’t find works for. All he could do was keep swinging his hand in a small circle. Finally it came out that it was the polishing touches on old steam engines, called “Engine Turning”. Like the special polish, in expensive wind-up wrist watches, this is Essentially Swirl Polishing, which you can see, shining in the sun above!! ….The actual Swirl Polishing, was completed by Larry Boyd, of Aiken’s Owens Corning Fiber Glass Co. For several days Larry & Henry Gurr struggled to find the correct “way” to “polish” … Finally after Larry had done ~20 successful swirls, he said “I got it now!” … So there’s Roger Finch’s GREAT Contribution, to the story of the Wonderful Beautiful Swirl Polish, on the Sundial Gnomon of .. USCA’s .. Ruth Patrick Science Education Center !! Signed: Henry S Gurr, May 27 2020.
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