Built in 1882, the Master Mechanics Building in Altoona housed the work that helped make the Pennsylvania Railroad the most important railroad in America and a cornerstone of the industry. Each Pennsy operating division had a Master Mechanic responsible for overseeing the upkeep of locomotives and cars in his division to assure first-rate performance and reliability. In Altoona, headquarters of PRR's Middle Division, home of the world's largest railroad shops, and a hub of day-to-day railroading activity, that role was especially respected. The building also housed advanced physical and chemical laboratories where the Pennsylvania Railroad Test Department conducted research. Founded by engineers, the PRR emphasized science and technology as it built the biggest corporation and the self-proclaimed Standard Railroad of the world.