Boring

[bawr-ing, bohr-]

Boring, Edwin Garrigues, 1886-1968, American psychologist, b. Philadephia. He taught experimental psychology at Clark Univ. (from 1919) and at Harvard (1922-68). Boring was strongly influenced by Edward Titchener and is best known for his work in sensory psychology. Boring's classic History of Experimental Psychology (1929) made him a pioneer historian of the field. Other important works include Physical Dimensions of Consciousness (1933), and his memoirs, Psychologist at Large (1961).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

boring machine

Machine tool for producing smooth and accurate holes in a workpiece by enlarging existing holes with a cutting tool, which may bear a single tip of steel, cemented carbide, or diamond or may be a small grinding wheel. The hole's diameter is controlled by adjusting the boring head. Bored holes are more accurate in roundness, concentricity, and parallelism than drilled holes. Boring machines used in toolmaking shops have a vertical spindle and a work-holding table that moves horizontally in two perpendicular directions so that holes can be accurately spaced. In mass-production plants, boring machines with multiple spindles are common. Seealso drill; drill press; lathe.

Learn more about boring machine with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Boring, Oregon

Boring is an unincorporated community located in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. It is located along Oregon Route 212, approximately eight miles south of Gresham and about the same distance from Clackamas, both suburbs of Portland.

History

The community was named for W. H. Boring, an early resident of the area. Boring was platted in 1903 as "Boring Junction". The post office was established and named "Boring" the same year, and the builders of the interurban railway adopted Boring as the name of the community.

The unique name of the town often prompts its inclusion on lists of unusual place names. The name "Boring" is embraced by locals, however, and found in many local businesses, resulting in many road signs that seem humorous to outsiders.

In 2005, citizens of Boring applied to become one of the first legally recognized villages in Oregon.

Boosters of the village designation use the slogan "The most exciting place to live."

After many months of polarizing debate on the village issue, residents narrowly defeated the village designation in a town hall referendum, with 293 votes in favor and 298 against.

Economy

Boring was a timber industry town throughout much of the 20th century. The Portland Traction Company, a now-defunct railroad, operated a rail line from Portland (near the current location of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) on the Willamette River) to Boring via Gresham. In the 1950s, the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads jointly took over operation of the remaining portion of the line for freight operations. Much of the line has since been purchased by local governments for the creation of a long-distance rail trail named the Springwater Corridor. It is also home to Westcott's, manufacturer of reproduction fiberglass bodies for hot rods and custom cars.