Ken Aiken
Ken Aiken is a freelance writer, photographer, and motorcycle-tourism consultant who divides his time between his native Vermont and Montreal. He is the author of “Touring Vermont’s Scenic Roads” (Down East Books, 1999), the ghostwriter for “Motorcycle Journeys Through New England: Third Edition” by Marty Berke (Whitehorse Press, 2003), and the photographer for “Venice Revealed: An Intimate Portrait” by Paolo Barbaro (Steerforth Italia, 2001).
Over the past decade his motorcycle journeys have been chronicled in numerous magazines, including ThunderPress, Backroads, Road Bike, Road Runner, Street Bike, CC Motorcycle News, Independent Biker, and Cruising Rider. Research into the development of industrial manufacturing and firearms in America has lead to features in Gun Digest, Muzzle Blasts, The Accurate Rifle, and Fine Tool Journal in addition to speaking engagements. He was awarded the 2001 John T. Amber Literary Award for his non-fiction work, “The Birth of the Modern Firearm” and invited as a guest speaker at the 2007 Ward Francillon Time Symposium by the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (NAWCC).
Working as a map developer for MAD Maps, Inc. of San Francisco (www.madmaps.com) he created motorcycle and touring routes for dozens of print maps and programs used by Garmin and Tom-Tom navigational GPS systems.
Aiken is a master goldsmith and certified gemologist who taught foundry techniques at Goddard College and jewelry making at Community College of Vermont. Using ancient coins and artifacts he developed a product line for International Coins & Currency. Seaquest International placed him in charge of the restoration of the treasure recovered from the 1641 wreck of the Spanish galleon Concepcion and the subsequent product development of treasure coin jewelry. The numismatic restoration method he developed for sunken treasure is now widely employed in this industry.
As a professional horologist he has restored antique timepieces for collectors throughout North America and had hosted his own television program, “Time & Again,” on the fledgling Shop At Home Network.
His photography has appeared in numerous books and dozens of magazines. Exhibitions have included excerpts from three Venetian photographic essays at the Vermont Council On The Arts and images of motorcycles at Galerie Harwood (www.galerieharwood.com) in Montreal.
Recognized by the Vermont Legislature for his efforts in the adoption of hessonite garnet as the state gemstone, Aiken is also listed in Marquis’s “Who’s Who In The World” (6th edition) and “Who’s Who In Finance & Industry” (22nd edition).
Latest Articles
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How To Adjust A Pendulum Clock
Christiaan Huygen patented the pendulum clock and escapement in 1657. The Connecticut clock companies made them affordable in the early 19th century.
Dec 13, 2009
- Ken Aiken
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Indian Motorcycle Collection Finds A New Home
It was formed as the Hendee Manufacturing Company in 1901 to manufacture Indian-brand motorcycles, but it didn't become the Indian Motocycle Company until 1928.
Nov 10, 2009
- Ken Aiken
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Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, NY
Known as the "Father of Naval Aviation" and "the fastest man alive" he was a pioneer motorcycle and aeronautic inventor.
Nov 7, 2009
- Ken Aiken
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American Pocket Watch Dials
Dials are the face of a watch and pretty faces sell watches. Waltham, Elgin, Illinois, Hampden, E. Howard, and other companies made porcelain dials for watch movements.
Nov 5, 2009
- Ken Aiken
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Early Spanish Colonial Cob Coins
The English called them "pieces of eight" and gold "doubloons" and to this day these coins remain the archetype for treasure.
Nov 3, 2009
- Ken Aiken
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How A Mechanical Watch Works
Springs, gears, screws, and funny shaped parts assembled to keep time seems like an arcane art to someone not versed in horology. Watch repair starts with these systems.
Nov 3, 2009
- Ken Aiken
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The Railroad Grade Pocket Watch
What is a railroad watch? Made by Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton, Rockford, Hampden and other American watch companies for railway service in the United States.
Oct 26, 2009
- Ken Aiken
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