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by luma 1162 days ago
Oil and gas use pipe "pigs" which date back to pulling a bale of hay tied to a wire through the pipe to clean things out. Apparently they made a squeeling sound and the name Pipe Pig stuck. More details on modern pigging: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigging
2 comments

They use smart pigs to inspect pipelines too. They are awesome looking machines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmJ083afaYY
One of the most memorable company names I have ever heard, memorable enough that 30 years later, I still remember that their phone number is 1-800-HOT-HOGS is the New Pig Corporation. I occasionally see their products on city streets.

They make oil-spill containment barriers and cleanup equipment and until your comment, I had no idea where the name came from. Now I wonder if there's a connection...

Second most memorable, at least the phone number, is 1-800-ROBOHAND (robot end effectors). I think they are now a part of Schunk Corp.