STORIES OF INVENTION
Stories of Invention
Edwin found and tracked hundreds of individuals and families whose ideas and inventions added to the flow that advances civilization.
Here are two stories, with more to follow.
Here are two stories, with more to follow.
Cast of Characters Part 1 - Mentoring
This is a three-generation story of a talented family mentoring an inquisitive young man. All these players except Emily, the family’s binding energy, are the cleverest individuals you could imagine. Their lives spanned the years 1822 to 1939. In that last year, Analdo and Ernest, and Edwin’s father Albert died within a few months of each other. I have only included some of Edwin’s diary entries for years 1929-1934 that reflect his direct interactions with Analdo and Ernest English and their references to Nathan “Fred” English (1822-1902) and Benjamin Livermore (1818-1874?).
In some of the entries below I have added an italicized comment in parentheses to give the reader a better understanding, context or clarification of the matter at hand.
The diaries start as the Great Depression begins, money is tight, work for adults is limited, so everyone in the family must contribute as best they can. Edwin is 13-years old.
Nathan Fredrick ‘Fred” English holding a vial of a chemical used in a glass plate or ambrotype photographic process. He also was a daguerreotypist, mechanic and inveterate inventor.
Locomobiles, Stanley Steamers and the Climb to the Top of Mt Washington
In the late 1890s many of the new horseless carriages were steam powered, not internal combustion engines like today’s cars. The twin Stanley Brothers, Francis and Freelan, produced 100 steam cars in 1899. They were called Locomobiles and were a two passenger, buggy style car, made of light weight, tubular construction like that of a bicycle. Our museum owns Serial No. 1.
Nathan Fredrick ‘Fred” English holding a vial of a chemical used in a glass plate or ambrotype photographic process. He also was a daguerreotypist, mechanic and inveterate inventor.