January 2015: From the Editor

Words: Dan KamysJanuary 2015 From the Editor

Hello, Mr. Roboto

Jennifer Morrell

Hey, I’m an old-school kind of girl. I still like to hold a magazine or book in my hands. I still buy CDs – and read all of the liner notes. I was late to the online bill-paying party, but I did get finally there.

When I conduct interviews with sources for articles, I shorthand my notes with pen and paper, and then transcribe them immediately into a Word document (yes, really). For me, it works. I organize my thoughts and actually have the entire article figured out via the transcribing process.

So, while my profession requires me to keep up with ever-changing software and digital advancements nearly daily, I’m still a traditional person at heart. I don’t automatically embrace every latest-and-greatest piece of technology; I sometimes have to be educated and convinced as to why it’s better than the “old way.”

Like many of our readers, the idea of masonry robotics seems almost oxymoronic in nature. How can masonry – true masonry – be anything but a hands-on, skilled human labor? How on earth could masonry involve a robot? To open your eyes and, possibly, your mind to the concept, we’ve included an article explaining how masonry robotics might actually help to advance masons on the jobsite. Give it a read, and let me know your thoughts on this level of technology as it applies to our masonry industry by emailing jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com.

Return to Table of Contents

The Thirty-Year Mason: Ergonomics as a Retention Strategy
June 2026

In most industry circles, the conversation around the labor shortage follows a predictable script: How do we find the next generation of masons? While recruitment is vital, we often overlook the most valuable asset already on the job site: the experienced

Acme Brick Company Releases 2026 Pocket Guide to Brick Construction
June 2026

For more than four decades, all the basics of building with brick have come in a guide small enough to fit into a pocket. Acme Brick has just released a 2026 version of its Pocket Guide to Brick Construction. And yes, it’s still printed on paper just like

Masonry in the Media: Casa Azul, Chapultepec Castle, & More
June 2026

A film’s settings can take viewers to new locations, all from the comfort of their own home. It immerses them in the scenes, whether they take place in an opera house in Brazil or a grand mansion in Mexico City. Explore how these Latin American masonry ma

Chairman’s Message: When Things Don’t Go as Planned
June 2026

Not every day in this business goes the way we planned. Some days, everything lines up. The crew is moving well. Materials are on time. The job is flowing the way you hoped it would. And then there are the other days. The ones where something breaks. T