“Since my father's generation, our family was in the engineering industry, the older generation of hardware masters never really teach you by hand, you have to learn by yourself on the side.”

Mr. Chiu Man Ho (Ho) started his career in mechanical engineering in 1979 and has been in the industry for more than 40 years now, while Hang Fat Machinery Engineering has moved to its present location in Tai Kok Tsui since 1998. Mr. Chiu's entry into the industry started from blood, as he learned from his father when he was a child. However, his father was not good at teaching, so he kept improving himself by watching and doing.

Ho has experienced several major eras. In the 1960s, Hong Kong's economy took off and imported a large number of British and American made cars, resulting in a high demand for repairs and maintenance. Later, the importation of Japanese-made cars increased, there were no further needs on car processing. The business declined due to the change in the automobile industry. A mountain cannot turn, but a road can, Ho then switched his business to elevators repairing. From the first generation of his father's automobile repairing business to the present elevator repairing business, the next generation will be passed down to Ho’s apprentice and godson.

The story of Ho's workshop not only represents the changing times of three generations of mechanical engineers in Tai Kok Tsui, but also a witness to the changes of Tai Kok Tsui's industries. In recent years, there have been many redevelopments in the area and the number of hardware stores has been decreasing, which makes Ho sigh with emotion. However, he insists that he will continue his business as long as he can.

This work is inspired by one of Ho's old English calipers. A new metric caliper is connected to the old English caliper at both ends by using a special bow-shaped part, and the movable axes of the two calipers are stretched out in the middle until they meet.

The work represents the contradictions and tensions between generations, as well as their resilience. The measure of success is different for each generation. Between inheritance and mutual erosion are the marks of a struggle.