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Gil Carlson (1922 - 1994), one of the founding fathers of hydronic heating was a remarkable man who understood fluid dynamics like no other. He spent most of his career at Bell & Gossett and retired there as Director of Technical Services.
As of 2004, Gils
stuff has been used to teach over 175,000 designers.
One
time colleague Bob Dilg shares this, “Gil believed in the power of education, and encouraged others to be all they could be. “I had no
degree and Gil wanted me to progress,”, “He constantly encouraged me to further my education by taking night courses. When I told him that any degree would be years away, he just smiled that unique smile and said, 'But you'll be smarter every day!'” So is the legend
of Gil Carlson.
Robert Bean (l) and Dan Holohan (r) with Gil's Wheel at ISH America
Interesting Facts:
When past and present keepers of the award gather around the wheel people want their picture taken with it....so the picture taking has become a fund raiser at industry events.
Airline personnel across America have learnt about the award when asking the holder, "just exactly where would you like to put the artifact for the flight?" (It won't fit under the seats or overhead bins).
Ordinary citizens, especially in social situations like bars and restaurants are curious about the award and always leave educated about hydronic heating systems.
The guardian of the Wheel is unusually blessed with an increase in speaking engagements and business contracts.
Special Recognition
 Thanks to the efforts of Award Winning Journalist and Consulting Editor, Jim Olsztynski the
Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence will be carried forward by the BNP Media Group.
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Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence |
Some have compared the
Carlson-Holohan Industry Award
of
Excellence to the NHLs' Stanley Cup though its more like a combination of the Hart Memorial Trophy awarded to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team and the
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy to the player exhibiting sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.
It is industry recognition for what an individual has done for the game of steam and hydronics.
Criteria for nomination:
Nominee must be over the age of 40, a citizen of the United States or Canada, demonstrated leadership in industry as an educator and mentor, with
proven volunteer activities in associations, committees and activities and a current or past fund-raiser for industry activities .
Conditions with the award:
The recipient is the sole guardian of the award…it is never to be sold, traded, loaned or owned by any one individual or company. The recipient is required to carry the award to each seminar or public speaking engagement he or she delivers and is required to tell the story of Gils Wheel.
During the two-year guardianship period (beginning the first of January and ending the last day of December in the second year) the recipient must search for a suitable candidate to carry on the story and with consultation of past recipients select a new keeper. Each new holder must make
some investment to protect the originality, and physical condition of the wheel so that its life journey will be preserved for all generations to see. |
2006/2008 Recipient
Dave Yates (r)
NAOSHM 06 |
2008/2010 Recipient
Mark Eatherton (r)
Wetstock 08 |
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 BNP
press release
Photo Credits:
TBA |
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Instructor, Writer
Solar Decathlon Mentor
Volunteer
Technician Extraordinaire |
2008/2010 Award: "Through the review and sponsorship from BNP Media, the nominations committee and industry supporters…this year’s recipient meets and exceeds all of the criteria necessary to become the awards newest guardian. Although only one nomination is
required to be eligible, this man was recommended numerous times from locations around Canada and the United States. His voice is respected in print, in person, amongst his peers and public alike. Thoughtful, considerate, passionate, always entertaining and one heck of great guy. In
recognition of his contributions to the world of keeping the human race healthy, well and comfortable through selfless giving of his time and talents, teaching and mentoring to raise the benchmark of professionalism and in raising awareness and funds for industry causes, the legacy of Gil
Carlson and Dan Holohan forever hereby includes, Mr. Mark
Eatherton.
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Additional stories about Gil Carlson:
History By: Ron Spencer, First published in NEWSLETTER of the NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA CHAPTER of the AMERICAN SOCIETY of HEATING, REFRIGERATING and AIR-CONDITIONING ENGINEERS, INC.
While at lunch with Jack Tumilty, we were reminiscing about some of the impact various individuals have had on our Society and our industry. Pete Wingate came to mind during this conversation which led to the abbreviated, Bell & Gossett “Little Red School House” seminars he had arranged in Tulsa. These lasted
for one day, but when Gil Carlson was the speaker, we felt we had experienced a semester of Fluid Flow courses. Gil was a rare individual, who was “at one” with the system he was evaluating. He could answer ANY question about a fluidics problem and could back up his answer with the math to prove it. But when
asked how he instinctively knew the answer, he would reply “it FELT like the right answer”. I was told the story about how the Bell & Gossett System Syzer came into being. Gil was working in his office on some system problems when an individual from marketing came in to ask a question. He noticed the
cardboard back of a paper pad with another circular piece of a pad held in place by a rivet, similar to a circular slide rule. He asked Gil “What is that device?” Gil responded “Just a little short cut I made up to deal with fluid flow.” Gil had not even considered the potential of such a device. Gil chain
smoked and everyone in the audience would watch the ash on his cigarette grow to incredible lengths before falling to the floor. Gil never seemed to realize how much in awe we were of his incredible knowledge, he was always completely humble and would spend whatever time it took to answer some of the most
fundamental questions. Every time the seminar was held, I made a point to be there and each time I learned something new. I came to know Gil and as time went on, he would flatter me, if during the course of a seminar, someone would ask a question pertaining to a chiller application, by referring the question
to me. He called me his resident chiller expert. Such praise from such an individual overwhelmed me. Great men are like that, unaware of their standing. He was truly one of the giants of our industry.
Click here to learn more about Ron Spencer the historian.
This is one of Dan Holohan's favorite stories about Gil. Dan likes to share it with others every April 28th, the day Gil passed away. I always enjoy it and so will you.
If you have any archived stories about Gil we love to make them available. Please send them to info at healthyheating.com and we'll post them here. |
You really must visit Dan Holohan's website www.heatinghelp.com to appreciate what this incredible man does for the industry.
Be sure to also sign up for award sponsor, BNP Media's publications and e-newsletters.
See the
contributions of Gil Carlson, visit Bell & Gossett's Little Red School House.
Ongoing Project:
Record of people who have made a financial donation for a photo opportunity with the Wheel. |
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