I'm in the H.S. class of 1974. My Jr & Sr years I slacked off and took metal shop, only I really learned things! My class mates got very good at welding roll cages on stolen VW's for mud running and turning hash (probably pot) pipes on the metal lathes! I studied acid etching, lost wax casting, and a few other processes that didn't interest anybody else. I learned about steel strengths and hardness as well as case hardening and annealing.

I've never had a job requiring these things, but this knowledge made me better at all the jobs I have had!

Ivan