One of the best, most progressive, American minds of the 19th Century is now lost to history. He’s at best a footnote - an arcane one at that. He invented and built the first steam locomotive, developed patents for numerous products such as gelatin, he helped lay the first transatlantic telegraph line and, in 1859, he created a private college in Manhattan that’s issuing degrees in architecture, design and engineering to this day. He invented the first steel rocking chair. He was a fierce opponent of the gold standard and in 1875, he was the Greenback Party’s candidate for president of the United States because he urged federally-issued banknotes as standard US currency. At age 85, he was then the nations oldest candidate for the office. He opposed slavery before it was fashionable to do so. Still, you’d be forgiven for not knowing his name.
© 2024 John Oliver
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