The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is a prominent labor union founded on May 5, 1888, by Thomas W. Talbot and 18 other railroad machinists in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally named the Order of United Machinists and Mechanical Engineers, the union was established to combat wage cuts and improve working conditions specifically for machinists, who faced grueling labor and job insecurity during the industrial boom[1][2][4]. Talbot envisioned a craft-focused union that provided unemployment, illness, and accident insurance while securing recognition for machinists' skills. Early on, the union had restrictive membership policies, initially excluding women, non-citizens, and Black workers, but it evolved over time to become more inclusive[1][5][6]. The IAM rapidly expanded, holding its first major convention in 1889, adopting a constitution, and publishing the *Machinists Monthly Journal*[1][3]. It became international by the early 1890s, establishing locals in Canada and Mexico, and affiliating with the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1895[3]. Throughout its history, the IAM achieved significant labor victories, including securing an eight-hour workday by 1915, winning paid vacations in many contracts by the 1930s, and pioneering union agreements in the aerospace and air transport industries[2][3][5]. The union also played a crucial role in founding the AFL’s Metal Trades Department and supported wartime efforts during World War II, which boosted its membership[2][6]. Notably, the IAM has adapted to changing industrial landscapes, expanding beyond railroad machinists to include aerospace workers, auto mechanics, and other skilled trades. Today, it remains a key force advocating for workers’ rights in aerospace and related technologies, reflecting its deep roots in both traditional manufacturing and modern innovation[1][2]. The IAM's emblem—a flywheel, caliper, and machi