kevin p. siu musings on technology, politics, and the world

The Tool and the Liberation

"The Tool", for those unacquainted, is a 60" long triple-chromed pipe wrench made by the Ridge Tool Company (known for its Ridgid brand of hand tools and power tools). This particular tool is a 42-year-old specimen that now serves as the mascot of the University of Waterloo Engineering Society.

Cannon on top of The 'Ridgid' Tool

Forged in Elyria, Ohio, the $350 Tool was donated to the then cash-strapped UWaterloo in 1967 by the Ridge Tool Company on two conditions: that it be named "The Ridgid Tool" and that it be kept in its original Ridgid orange and black colours. Waterloo, of course, took these to heart - and promptly dipped the whole thing in a bath of chrome just hours after its reception. The "Ridgid" brand name was dropped shortly thereafter.

Like the Cannon, the Tool is protected by a group of mostly anonymous students aptly named the Tool Bearers. On its outings, each end of the Tool is chained to a Tool Bearer, and is accompanied by a guard of approximately five Bearers. The Tool Bearers wear a uniform of gold and black coveralls, adorned with the word "Engineering" along the left leg, as well as a black hard hat, sunglasses, and a gold bandanna covering their faces.

Curious readers might at this point wonder: why did they choose a pipe wrench? Of all the wonderful things that Engineers can come across, like t-squares, slide rules, bridges, and cannons, why choose as your symbol of representation a giant pipe wrench? This particular story may be lost in the annals of history. What is known, however, is that Waterloo's EngSoc had considered choosing between a sword and a wrench. They eventually settled on the idea of a wrench to accompany their self-designated title of "Plummers". Despite the odd choice of a symbol, Waterloo students embraced it with glee, adopting their now widespread "Plummers and proud of it" attitude.

Naturally, the Tool eventually became subject to the intense rivalry between the Universities of Waterloo and Toronto. In January of 1982, a group of our very own Engineers successfully intercepted the motorcade carrying the Tool and its lead Tool Bearer, returning from the Welcome Back Stag. The unexpected traffic stop resulted in the Tool being liberated by our Engineers, who easily escaped from the surprised Tool Bearers.

'BFC' posing with The Tool after liberating it from Waterloo

Having gained possession of the Tool, our predecessors had their fun. They paraded the Tool around mockingly (and who can resist mocking an oversized pipe wrench?), put it up on display, tried fixing some real pipes (and found it lacking in this respect) and had its pictures taken with the Mighty Skule Cannon. Eventually, they grew tired of the Tool and its inability to impress. It produced no kabooms, and inspired no awe. Finally, after over two months of captivity, the Tool was released and returned to Waterloo - but not without one last touch.

When the Waterloo students found the Tool at their school one morning, they were shocked to find it encased in a 45-gallon drum of concrete. University of Toronto had the last laugh, successfully planting "The Tool in the Stone" at Waterloo. Yet there was more - the Tool was returned only hours before their Iron Ring Ceremony (when the graduating engineers get a chance to touch the Tool). The Tool Bearers were forced, along with a handful of Frosh, to chisel and sledgehammer away at the concrete until they managed to free the Tool from its confines. It was only then that they realized "U of T" had been engraved on the shaft. To cover up our signature, the Tool received its second coat of chrome shortly after this incident.

The chain worn by the Cannon's Chief Attiliator comes from the chain that once guarded Waterloo's Tool in 1982

The Tool is now guarded much more closely, having been traumatized from the escapades of 1982. It makes its appearance only at a handful of important events every year (orientation, iron ring parties, and semi-formals) - unlike the Cannon, which can be found unleashing its Earth Shattering Kaboom all across campus and Toronto almost weekly.

The Tool finally marked its young 40th birthday in June of 2007, and sported its third coat of chrome. Its limited history and tradition will require much more to catch up to the Might Skule Cannon - twice as old and storied as the Tool. But with a pipe wrench for a mascot, one must wonder - will they ever be able to catch up?

Timeline of The (Ridgid) Tool