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

Beyond the Block: Aesthetic Innovations in CMU Construction
August 2026

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) have long been a mainstay of construction. They are well known as a “tried and true” material with a long history of high-strength structural performance, affordability, ease of assembly, and a long lifecycle. CMU constructio

The Most Overlooked Profit Center on Your Job Site
August 2026

The real cost of equipment ownership isn't what you pay on day one. It's what happens over the years that follow. The purchase price of a new mortar mixer, grout pump, material handling system, or masonry saw is only part of the investment. What happens

Installation Starts Before the First Course
August 2026

Some of the most expensive masonry installation problems begin long before crews arrive onsite. By the time a project reaches the field, many coordination decisions have already been made. Dimensional conflicts, congested reinforcement, specialty materia

Designing for Performance: Key Considerations for Efficient, Durable Masonry Projects
August 2026

A successful masonry project starts well before the first stone is set. The craftsmanship on site matters, of course, but many of the decisions that shape the final result are made much earlier—during design, detailing, and material selection. Those choic