seven hundred dollars. Carver had 10 sisters and a brother, all of whom died
prematurely..
There was a lot of unrest in Southwest Missouri at that time. As an infant, George, one
of his sisters, and his mother were kidnapped by night raiders and sold in Kentucky.
Moses Carver hired John Bentley to find them. Only Carver was found, orphaned and
near death. Carver's mother and sister had already died, although some reports stated
that his mother and sister had gone north with soldiers. For returning George, Moses
Carver rewarded Bentley.
After slavery was abolished, Moses Carver and his wife, Susan, raised George and his
older brother, James, as their own children. They encouraged George Carver to
continue his intellectual pursuits, and "Aunt Susan" taught him the basics of reading and
writing.
prematurely..
There was a lot of unrest in Southwest Missouri at that time. As an infant, George, one
of his sisters, and his mother were kidnapped by night raiders and sold in Kentucky.
Moses Carver hired John Bentley to find them. Only Carver was found, orphaned and
near death. Carver's mother and sister had already died, although some reports stated
that his mother and sister had gone north with soldiers. For returning George, Moses
Carver rewarded Bentley.
After slavery was abolished, Moses Carver and his wife, Susan, raised George and his
older brother, James, as their own children. They encouraged George Carver to
continue his intellectual pursuits, and "Aunt Susan" taught him the basics of reading and
writing.
parts as the plastic gearshift knob and horn button.
They shared an interest in "chemurgy" (chemistry at work) -- advocating greater use of
farm and forest resources in industry; shared philosphy of "wastes as resources in
disguise".
This interest culminated in 1942, when Ford showcased a car with a plastic body made
from soybeans. Attached to a tubular frame, the body weighed 30 percent less than a
steel car and was much more flexible and durable. The experimental car was also
equipped to run on ethanol rather than gasoline but such a novel idea failed to catch on.
"By that time, huge new oil fields were being discovered and petroleum had become
much more cost-effective than plant-based ethanol", said Dick Baker, a tech leader at
Ford's powertrain, research and advanced engineering department.
"Agricultural fuels take a fair amount of processing to create, whereas petroleum comes
out of the ground and just needs refining," Baker said. "The principles were right for
what Ford and Carver were doing in the lab, but they didn't have the tools we do now
to go big-time with the idea.
When Ford met George Washington Carver, both men were in their seventies and
nearing the end of their remarkably productive careers. It is interesting to speculate on
They shared an interest in "chemurgy" (chemistry at work) -- advocating greater use of
farm and forest resources in industry; shared philosphy of "wastes as resources in
disguise".
This interest culminated in 1942, when Ford showcased a car with a plastic body made
from soybeans. Attached to a tubular frame, the body weighed 30 percent less than a
steel car and was much more flexible and durable. The experimental car was also
equipped to run on ethanol rather than gasoline but such a novel idea failed to catch on.
"By that time, huge new oil fields were being discovered and petroleum had become
much more cost-effective than plant-based ethanol", said Dick Baker, a tech leader at
Ford's powertrain, research and advanced engineering department.
"Agricultural fuels take a fair amount of processing to create, whereas petroleum comes
out of the ground and just needs refining," Baker said. "The principles were right for
what Ford and Carver were doing in the lab, but they didn't have the tools we do now
to go big-time with the idea.
When Ford met George Washington Carver, both men were in their seventies and
nearing the end of their remarkably productive careers. It is interesting to speculate on
as a waster product and disposed of by large producers. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) and USB were cognizant of soybean oil's history and many
industrial uses and set out to fund industrial research to bring this chemistry to the
forefront as a viable alternative to petroleum products.
As a result, during the late 1980s and early 1990s, research grants were established to
help fund the creation of biobased industrial products. Some of the first products
approved for research grants were biobased roofing and masonry coatings. Other
products included insulating foams, sealants and adhesives. Early in the process, most
of these products were created at universities and in small laboratories with limited
production and usage. However, over time, these products—many comparable to
uretuane and polyurethane chemistries-have been recognized to possess excellent
Agriculture (USDA) and USB were cognizant of soybean oil's history and many
industrial uses and set out to fund industrial research to bring this chemistry to the
forefront as a viable alternative to petroleum products.
As a result, during the late 1980s and early 1990s, research grants were established to
help fund the creation of biobased industrial products. Some of the first products
approved for research grants were biobased roofing and masonry coatings. Other
products included insulating foams, sealants and adhesives. Early in the process, most
of these products were created at universities and in small laboratories with limited
production and usage. However, over time, these products—many comparable to
uretuane and polyurethane chemistries-have been recognized to possess excellent
Though worlds apart, George Washington
Carver and Henry Ford shared a vision of
a future in which agricultural products
would be put to new uses to create
products and industries.
Henry...knew of Carver's work and said
"that's somebody I need to learn more
about".
That was because Carver, born a slave in
Carver and Henry Ford shared a vision of
a future in which agricultural products
would be put to new uses to create
products and industries.
Henry...knew of Carver's work and said
"that's somebody I need to learn more
about".
That was because Carver, born a slave in
| 1. The man on the left was a former slave who became a famous scientist. 2. The man on the right became wealthy via assembly line production of something that was always painted black. 3. Who were they and how could they have possibly alleviated our dependence on petroleum? |
 |  |  |  |
| If you have a picture you'd like us to feature a picture in a future quiz, please email it to us at CFitzp@aol.com. If we use it, you will receive a free analysis of your picture. You will also receive a free Forensic Genealogy CD or a 10% discount towards the purchase of the Forensic Genealogy book. |
 |  |  |  |
| Click here to see results of 5th occasional photoquiz survey. |
| Answer to Quiz #196 - February 8, 2009 |
| ********** |
| If you enjoy our quizzes, don't forget to order our books! Click here. |
| Quiz #196 Results |
| Visit our blog at www.forensicgenealogy.info/blog. |
| This quiz was submitted by Stan Read. |
| Answers: 1. George Washington Carver 2. Henry Ford 3. They were advocates for bio-fuels and synthetics made from soybeans. |
| ********** |
| Two Forward-Thinking Men |
| Forensic Genealogy Salutes Black History Month |
| Comments from Our Readers |
George Washington Carver and Henry Ford wanted to develop an alternative biofuel for
gasoline. If their alternative had been more widely used we might be using the
salmonella tainted peanuts in our cars now instead of paying the outrageous prices at
the pump. The problem with biofuels is that we would need a lot more land devoted to
farming than we have now. Milene Rawlinson
*****
I remember the gasohol/metric attempt in the 1970's, being just out of a job in the fuel
business--at a refinery who started selling corn fuel --I believe after I was no longer
working for them. I think I bought it once or twice, but didn't see the big increase in
mileage we were being promised. Wasn't conversion annoying, though? I had a chart
in my glove box for conversions. While I was at this refinery, however, there was a
big gas raise and I had to call stations every day to tell them to raise prices by a penny
or two at a time. Marilyn Hamill
*****
By the way, we own a 1929 Model A, cool car! Debbie Sterbinsky
*****
Dependence on petroleum can be alleviated by use of biodisel, but food crops and
associated lands,etc., should not be used to make fuel on a large scale. In the short
term it may be profitable for business interests but a large drain on fragile marginal
lands and resources. I recognized right away and really did not need to google for
answer. All I needed was just a cursory look at the photo and reading of the questions.
Mike Dalton
*****
I totally agree. I think we need to focus on making biofuels from what we throw
away. We need to stick to growing food for people to eat. It seems like we have so
much trash-we should be able to do something constructive with it. I know that there
are people trying to. Gena Ortega
*****
I did a report on GWC when I was in grade school and always remembered the work
he did with peanuts. Evan Hindman
*****
Fords were assembled in any color you wanted as long as you wanted Black.
Jim Kiser
*****
I read somewhere that one of his sons said he decided to go to all black cars because it
removed at least two steps from the manufacturing process by not having a selection of
colors available, which fits his reputation as an extreme "tightwad". As I recall(from
reading - not being there at the time<g>), even the very early ones only came in red and
black, so he did not have to do much to revert to black only. Bill Utterback
*****
I just opened this quiz and, before doing any research, I would like to suggest that
George Washington Carver and Henry Ford might have considered using peanut oil
instead of petroleum to run those Model Ts. We have enjoyed visiting the Ford Museum
outside Detroit, Michigan where these and other outstanding thinkers (Noah Webster,
Thomas Edison, et al) are featured. Venita Wilson
*****
I wonder if agricultural land, close to cities, would have better protected. Cities would,
perhaps, have expanded more upward instead of outward?? Today we have huge
corporate farms, but I wonder if that trend would have started more in the early 1900’
s?? Today, automobile manufacturers may well benefit from the experiments of Carver
and the original vision of Ford, if they are to profer. Don Draper
*****
This is just from the top of my head based on clues: George Washington Carver who
studied the goober and extracted its' oil - and much else. He's talking to Henry Ford
who said, "you can have any color car you want as long as it's black".
Harold Clupper
*****
Carver could have made our lives today much easier HAD HE BEEN GREEDIER and
accepted Ford's offer of employment. We may have severed any dependence on fossil
fuels. That's all easy for me to say in hindsight, but Carver had the interest of humanity
in mind when he refused Ford's offer to continue his important research. Isn't history
fickle? Hence the phrase, "The best laid plans..." Mike Swierczewski
*****
I think I'll fix a weed sandwich with the remnants of my jar of pre-salmonella-scare
peanut butter. http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Peanut-Butter.html.
Diane Burkett
*****
I wonder how many of us would turn down the kind of money he was offered ... but,
like you said, by being "his own man" he was freer than most! I liked the quiz, too,
because I never realized that Henry Ford, while inventing the automobile, also realized a
potential fuel problem! Elaine C. Hebert
*****
Many people think that we will use what we already have for biofuels, not realizing that
we will need to produce much. much more. Along with that, the price of our food will
increase. I admire Carver too. For him, it seems, it was about the work, not about
status or money. I wish more people felt that way. Charlie Wayne
gasoline. If their alternative had been more widely used we might be using the
salmonella tainted peanuts in our cars now instead of paying the outrageous prices at
the pump. The problem with biofuels is that we would need a lot more land devoted to
farming than we have now. Milene Rawlinson
*****
I remember the gasohol/metric attempt in the 1970's, being just out of a job in the fuel
business--at a refinery who started selling corn fuel --I believe after I was no longer
working for them. I think I bought it once or twice, but didn't see the big increase in
mileage we were being promised. Wasn't conversion annoying, though? I had a chart
in my glove box for conversions. While I was at this refinery, however, there was a
big gas raise and I had to call stations every day to tell them to raise prices by a penny
or two at a time. Marilyn Hamill
*****
By the way, we own a 1929 Model A, cool car! Debbie Sterbinsky
*****
Dependence on petroleum can be alleviated by use of biodisel, but food crops and
associated lands,etc., should not be used to make fuel on a large scale. In the short
term it may be profitable for business interests but a large drain on fragile marginal
lands and resources. I recognized right away and really did not need to google for
answer. All I needed was just a cursory look at the photo and reading of the questions.
Mike Dalton
*****
I totally agree. I think we need to focus on making biofuels from what we throw
away. We need to stick to growing food for people to eat. It seems like we have so
much trash-we should be able to do something constructive with it. I know that there
are people trying to. Gena Ortega
*****
I did a report on GWC when I was in grade school and always remembered the work
he did with peanuts. Evan Hindman
*****
Fords were assembled in any color you wanted as long as you wanted Black.
Jim Kiser
*****
I read somewhere that one of his sons said he decided to go to all black cars because it
removed at least two steps from the manufacturing process by not having a selection of
colors available, which fits his reputation as an extreme "tightwad". As I recall(from
reading - not being there at the time<g>), even the very early ones only came in red and
black, so he did not have to do much to revert to black only. Bill Utterback
*****
I just opened this quiz and, before doing any research, I would like to suggest that
George Washington Carver and Henry Ford might have considered using peanut oil
instead of petroleum to run those Model Ts. We have enjoyed visiting the Ford Museum
outside Detroit, Michigan where these and other outstanding thinkers (Noah Webster,
Thomas Edison, et al) are featured. Venita Wilson
*****
I wonder if agricultural land, close to cities, would have better protected. Cities would,
perhaps, have expanded more upward instead of outward?? Today we have huge
corporate farms, but I wonder if that trend would have started more in the early 1900’
s?? Today, automobile manufacturers may well benefit from the experiments of Carver
and the original vision of Ford, if they are to profer. Don Draper
*****
This is just from the top of my head based on clues: George Washington Carver who
studied the goober and extracted its' oil - and much else. He's talking to Henry Ford
who said, "you can have any color car you want as long as it's black".
Harold Clupper
*****
Carver could have made our lives today much easier HAD HE BEEN GREEDIER and
accepted Ford's offer of employment. We may have severed any dependence on fossil
fuels. That's all easy for me to say in hindsight, but Carver had the interest of humanity
in mind when he refused Ford's offer to continue his important research. Isn't history
fickle? Hence the phrase, "The best laid plans..." Mike Swierczewski
*****
I think I'll fix a weed sandwich with the remnants of my jar of pre-salmonella-scare
peanut butter. http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Peanut-Butter.html.
Diane Burkett
*****
I wonder how many of us would turn down the kind of money he was offered ... but,
like you said, by being "his own man" he was freer than most! I liked the quiz, too,
because I never realized that Henry Ford, while inventing the automobile, also realized a
potential fuel problem! Elaine C. Hebert
*****
Many people think that we will use what we already have for biofuels, not realizing that
we will need to produce much. much more. Along with that, the price of our food will
increase. I admire Carver too. For him, it seems, it was about the work, not about
status or money. I wish more people felt that way. Charlie Wayne
| Congratulations to Our Winners Ric Mackinney and His Quiz Angel Jina Yi Joe Ruffner Milene Rawlinson Nancy Lear Elaine C. Hebert Alan Cullinan Deborah Campisano Douglas C. Smith Cari Thomas Carl Blessing Dave Doucette Mary South Tim Lonis Debbie Sterbinsky Robin Depietro Mike Dalton Patty Kaliher Dave Town Charlie Wayne Mary Hurley Sandy Thompson Evan Hindman Karen Petrus Marilyn Hamill Wayne Douglas Angie McLaughlin Diane Burkett Tamura Jones Gena Ortega Jim Kiser Gary Sterne Margaret Waterman Delores Martin Beth Long Venita Wilson Bobbie Sims Laurel Fletchner Lisa Thaler Bill Utterback Sharon Martin Bill Burrows Don Draper Frank P. Nollette Harold Clupper Maureen O'Connor Joshua Kreitzer Betty Chambers Judy Pfaff Jocelyn Thayer Mike Swierczewski Karen Kay Bunting Marjorie Wilser Don Holznagel Sandra McCConathy Beverly Taylor Marty Guidry Norm Smith Robert Edward McKenna, QPL |
| While I have never seen a photo of George Washington Carver at the particular age I guessed it to be him simply on the clues “former slave” and “famous scientist”. Once I had made that decision I then looked at his bio on- line and found he had a close association with Henry Ford (After Thomas Edison died, the automaker even called Carver "the greatest of all my inspiring friends."). That then fit with the other clues of “assembly line production” and “always painted black”. Then I Googled their names together and found the link I have included at the bottom of this note to you. BTW, George Washington Carver was some I found a great interest while studying history in grade school. He accomplished so much during his life time. Angie McLaughlin |
| How Angie Solved the Puzzle |
| GOOD IDEAS FROM TWO GREAT MEN Born into slavery, George Washington Carver, Devoted his life to agricultural findings, scientific, Became one of the World's most respected men, Thus identifying his studies as intellectually prolific. Henry Ford, inventor of automobile fame, Also envisioned using farm waste to produce energy, Biomass to alcohol was the idea for fueling his cars, Federal laws prohibited this practical synergy. Using agricultural products producing a fuel, Carver and Ford shared a common decision, Thus creating an alternative energy source, Limitations of the Prohibition doomed their vision. Robert Edward McKenna Quiz Poet Laureate ***** Ford admired Washington Carver Because of the vision they shared. Bio-prods and the green way of life Are the projects on which the two paired. Ford offered George C. a job at his plant Together they'd aim for their goal But Carver declined the lucrative job To continue to work on his own. Ford was surprised at the response that he got And asked him what it was about Said Carver, "I'll stay at the U where I'm at And continue to work for peanuts!" Colleen Fitzpatrick Understudy to Robert E. McKenna Quiz Poet Laureate |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| Biobased Roofing Products http://www.professionalroofing.net/article.aspx?id=1172 |
The development of biobased roofing products can be tied
directly to the increased use of soybeans in the food
industry. If you read the ingredients of many processed
foods, you will see soybeans have become a common
protein and oil substitute.
However, even with the multitude of uses for soybean oil in
the food industry, there was a tremendous glut of the oil
available during the early 1980s. The excess oil was treated
directly to the increased use of soybeans in the food
industry. If you read the ingredients of many processed
foods, you will see soybeans have become a common
protein and oil substitute.
However, even with the multitude of uses for soybean oil in
the food industry, there was a tremendous glut of the oil
available during the early 1980s. The excess oil was treated
physical properties and, in some cases, outperform the comparable
petroleum products they were created to replace.
One product category that has attracted a lot of attention in the
roofing industry is reflective, soy-based roof coatings. During the
early 1990s, the first soy polymer coatings were designed to
provide exceptional adhesion, pigment retention and low
permeability, as well as reflective and emissive properties, to
coincide with research being conducted at the time.
To read full article click here.
petroleum products they were created to replace.
One product category that has attracted a lot of attention in the
roofing industry is reflective, soy-based roof coatings. During the
early 1990s, the first soy polymer coatings were designed to
provide exceptional adhesion, pigment retention and low
permeability, as well as reflective and emissive properties, to
coincide with research being conducted at the time.
To read full article click here.
| Before biobased coating applied |
| After biobased coating applied |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| ********** |
Missouti during the Civil War, had become a world-famous botanist by the 1930s,
famed for his research into the many uses of peanuts, soybeans and other plants. Over
the years, Carver promoted the idea that such plants could be turned into plastics, paint,
fuel and other products.
Ford was interested in the same things. Besides his legendary work creating plastic car
parts derived from soybeans, Ford had long believed that ethanol (or grain alcohol)
should be produced as an alternative fuel.
"All the world is waiting for a substitute for gasoline," Ford said in 1916. "The day is
not far distant when, for every one of those barrels of gasoline, a barrel of alcohol must
be substituted."
During the early days of Prohibition, he even suggested turning Michigan's idled
breweries into distilleries to make denatured alcohol for fuel in cars and trucks, noted
historian Ford Bryan. That went nowhere since Prohibition doomed the idea of any
large-scale switch to alcohol production.
famed for his research into the many uses of peanuts, soybeans and other plants. Over
the years, Carver promoted the idea that such plants could be turned into plastics, paint,
fuel and other products.
Ford was interested in the same things. Besides his legendary work creating plastic car
parts derived from soybeans, Ford had long believed that ethanol (or grain alcohol)
should be produced as an alternative fuel.
"All the world is waiting for a substitute for gasoline," Ford said in 1916. "The day is
not far distant when, for every one of those barrels of gasoline, a barrel of alcohol must
be substituted."
During the early days of Prohibition, he even suggested turning Michigan's idled
breweries into distilleries to make denatured alcohol for fuel in cars and trucks, noted
historian Ford Bryan. That went nowhere since Prohibition doomed the idea of any
large-scale switch to alcohol production.
At first glance, they must have seemed like a strange
mix -- the billionaire industrialist from the North and
the modest scientist and naturalist from the South. But
Ford regarded Carver as a contemporary. Both men
had been born on farms during the Civil War and both
had sought, in their own ways, to improve the lot of
the common man.
Carver’s relationship with Henry Ford dates back to
when Ford invited Carver to his Dearborn, Michigan
plant where the two devised a way to use goldenrod, a
plant weed, to create synthetic rubber. They also
collaborated on a method to produce automobile
interiors and body panels from soy. By 1934, half a
bushel went into every Ford car. The exterior enamel
had a soy oil base, and soy mean was used in such
mix -- the billionaire industrialist from the North and
the modest scientist and naturalist from the South. But
Ford regarded Carver as a contemporary. Both men
had been born on farms during the Civil War and both
had sought, in their own ways, to improve the lot of
the common man.
Carver’s relationship with Henry Ford dates back to
when Ford invited Carver to his Dearborn, Michigan
plant where the two devised a way to use goldenrod, a
plant weed, to create synthetic rubber. They also
collaborated on a method to produce automobile
interiors and body panels from soy. By 1934, half a
bushel went into every Ford car. The exterior enamel
had a soy oil base, and soy mean was used in such
| George Washington Carver http://www.nps.gov/history... |
what might have happened had they met earlier or lived
longer. Would they have worked together to promote
renewable resources and urge a societal goal of zero
waste? We will never know.
Had the petroleum industry not conspired to monopolize
the basis for most industrial chemistry in the US, Carver's
low-impact and sustainable applications would be in more
widespread use. As bio-based products gain greater
prominence today in the face of heightened environmental
awareness, Carver’s efforts may well lead the way back
again - and away from petroleum dependency.
www.echostudiochicago.com/learn/george-washington-carver
www.zerowaste.org/publications/PIONEERS.PDF
www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/02/18/037624.html
longer. Would they have worked together to promote
renewable resources and urge a societal goal of zero
waste? We will never know.
Had the petroleum industry not conspired to monopolize
the basis for most industrial chemistry in the US, Carver's
low-impact and sustainable applications would be in more
widespread use. As bio-based products gain greater
prominence today in the face of heightened environmental
awareness, Carver’s efforts may well lead the way back
again - and away from petroleum dependency.
www.echostudiochicago.com/learn/george-washington-carver
www.zerowaste.org/publications/PIONEERS.PDF
www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/02/18/037624.html
| Henry Ford http://en.wikipedia.org... |
| George Washington Carver (January 1864 – January 5, 1943) |
George Washington Carver was an American scientist,
botanist, educator, and inventor whose studies and teaching
revolutionized agriculture in the Southern United States.
The day and year of his birth are unknown; some sources
say that he was believed to have been born before slavery
was abolished in Missouri in January 1864, while others
claim his birth to be around July 12, 1865.
Carver was born a slave on a small farm in Old Calibrator,
Newton County, Marion Township, near Crystal Place,
now known as Diamond, Missouri, "near the end of the
war." Moses and Susan Carver, his owners, reputedly
opposed slavery. However, they needed labor to work their
lands. Moses Carver was a German American immigrant
who had purchased George's mother, Mary, and father,
Giles, from William P. McGinnis on October 9, 1855, for
botanist, educator, and inventor whose studies and teaching
revolutionized agriculture in the Southern United States.
The day and year of his birth are unknown; some sources
say that he was believed to have been born before slavery
was abolished in Missouri in January 1864, while others
claim his birth to be around July 12, 1865.
Carver was born a slave on a small farm in Old Calibrator,
Newton County, Marion Township, near Crystal Place,
now known as Diamond, Missouri, "near the end of the
war." Moses and Susan Carver, his owners, reputedly
opposed slavery. However, they needed labor to work their
lands. Moses Carver was a German American immigrant
who had purchased George's mother, Mary, and father,
Giles, from William P. McGinnis on October 9, 1855, for
Henry Ford was born July 30, 1863, on his family's farm in
Dearborn, Michigan. From the time he was a young boy, Ford
enjoyed tinkering with machines. Farm work and a job in a
Detroit machine shop afforded him ample opportunities to
experiment. He later worked as a part-time employee for the
Westinghouse Engine Company. By 1896, Ford had
constructed his first horseless carriage which he sold in order
to finance work on an improved model.
Ford incorporated the Ford Motor Company in 1903,
proclaiming, "I will build a car for the great multitude." In
October 1908, he did so, offering the Model T for $950. In the
Model T's nineteen years of production, its price dipped as low
as $280. Nearly 15,500,000 were sold in the United States
alone. The Model T heralds the beginning of the Motor Age;
the car evolved from luxury item for the well-to-do to essential
transportation for the ordinary man.
Dearborn, Michigan. From the time he was a young boy, Ford
enjoyed tinkering with machines. Farm work and a job in a
Detroit machine shop afforded him ample opportunities to
experiment. He later worked as a part-time employee for the
Westinghouse Engine Company. By 1896, Ford had
constructed his first horseless carriage which he sold in order
to finance work on an improved model.
Ford incorporated the Ford Motor Company in 1903,
proclaiming, "I will build a car for the great multitude." In
October 1908, he did so, offering the Model T for $950. In the
Model T's nineteen years of production, its price dipped as low
as $280. Nearly 15,500,000 were sold in the United States
alone. The Model T heralds the beginning of the Motor Age;
the car evolved from luxury item for the well-to-do to essential
transportation for the ordinary man.
Ford revolutionized manufacturing. By 1914, his Highland Park, Michigan plant, using
innovative production techniques, could turn out a complete chassis every 93 minutes.
This was a stunning improvement over the earlier production time of 728 minutes.
Using a constantly-moving assembly line, subdivision of labor, and careful coordination
of operations, Ford realized huge gains in productivity.
innovative production techniques, could turn out a complete chassis every 93 minutes.
This was a stunning improvement over the earlier production time of 728 minutes.
Using a constantly-moving assembly line, subdivision of labor, and careful coordination
of operations, Ford realized huge gains in productivity.
In 1914, Ford began paying his employees five dollars a
day, nearly doubling the wages offered by other
manufacturers. He cut the workday from nine to eight
hours in order to convert the factory to a three-shift
workday. Ford's mass-production techniques would
eventually allow for the manufacture of a Model T
every 24 seconds. His innovations made him an
international celebrity.
Ford's affordable Model T irrevocably altered American
society. As more Americans owned cars, urbanization
patterns changed. The United States saw the growth of
suburbia, the creation of a national highway system,
and a population entranced with the possibility of going
anywhere anytime. Ford witnessed many of these
changes during his lifetime, all the while personally
longing for the agrarian lifestyle of his youth. In the
years prior to his death on April 7, 1947, Ford
sponsored the restoration of an idyllic rural town called
Greenfield Village.
day, nearly doubling the wages offered by other
manufacturers. He cut the workday from nine to eight
hours in order to convert the factory to a three-shift
workday. Ford's mass-production techniques would
eventually allow for the manufacture of a Model T
every 24 seconds. His innovations made him an
international celebrity.
Ford's affordable Model T irrevocably altered American
society. As more Americans owned cars, urbanization
patterns changed. The United States saw the growth of
suburbia, the creation of a national highway system,
and a population entranced with the possibility of going
anywhere anytime. Ford witnessed many of these
changes during his lifetime, all the while personally
longing for the agrarian lifestyle of his youth. In the
years prior to his death on April 7, 1947, Ford
sponsored the restoration of an idyllic rural town called
Greenfield Village.
| Ford's Patent Drawing for an Automobile Transmission Mechanism October 10, 1911 http://inventors.about.com/librar y/inventors/bl_ford_patent.htm |
| George Washington Carver www.mariononline.com... |
| Read "George Washington Carver and Henry Ford, Pioneers of Zero Waste" by John Ferrell. Click here. |
As an African American, Carver was unable to attend the local
white school. However, he had "an inordinate desire for
knowledge." The young boy attended school in Neosho, Missouri,
and later moved to Kansas. Doing laundry and cooking paid for his
tuition. He subsequently attended a series of schools before earning
his diploma at Minneapolis High School in Minneapolis, Kansas.
In the early 1880s, Carver sent several letters to colleges and was
finally accepted at Highland College in Highland, Kansas. He
traveled to the college, but he was rejected when they discovered
that he was an African American.
white school. However, he had "an inordinate desire for
knowledge." The young boy attended school in Neosho, Missouri,
and later moved to Kansas. Doing laundry and cooking paid for his
tuition. He subsequently attended a series of schools before earning
his diploma at Minneapolis High School in Minneapolis, Kansas.
In the early 1880s, Carver sent several letters to colleges and was
finally accepted at Highland College in Highland, Kansas. He
traveled to the college, but he was rejected when they discovered
that he was an African American.
After homesteading in Kansas, Carver went to Simpson College, Iowa, in 1890 to study
art. However, as an African American, he was not allowed to register. Eventually
admitted to the class, he proved to be a talented artist. Doing laundry, cooking, and
selling his paintings supported him again. Driven by his desire to contribute to his
people, Carver switched to agricultural studies. He believed that he could find practical
ways to benefit African-American farmers.
In 1891, Carver enrolled at Iowa Agricultural College at Ames to study agriculture. His
teachers thought Carver "a brilliant student...and collector." He earned a BS there in
1894 and worked as an assistant botanist at the experimental station. Carver graduated
with an MS in agriculture in 1896. A skilled plant breeder and field collector, in
particular of fungi, he developed expertise in plant diseases.
art. However, as an African American, he was not allowed to register. Eventually
admitted to the class, he proved to be a talented artist. Doing laundry, cooking, and
selling his paintings supported him again. Driven by his desire to contribute to his
people, Carver switched to agricultural studies. He believed that he could find practical
ways to benefit African-American farmers.
In 1891, Carver enrolled at Iowa Agricultural College at Ames to study agriculture. His
teachers thought Carver "a brilliant student...and collector." He earned a BS there in
1894 and worked as an assistant botanist at the experimental station. Carver graduated
with an MS in agriculture in 1896. A skilled plant breeder and field collector, in
particular of fungi, he developed expertise in plant diseases.
| As a Young Man |
| In Middle Age |
Looking to attract the best and brightest African-American
professionals to Tuskegee, Booker T. Washington hired the
young teaching assistant, George W. Carver, in 1896. The two
men shared the belief that a practical education would make
African Americans self-sufficient. In a letter to Washington,
Carver said "it has always been the one ideal of my life to be of
the greatest good to the greatest number of my people possible
and to this end I have been preparing myself for these many
years, feeling as I do that this line of education is the key."
Carver believed that Tuskegee Institute was the place that could
"unlock the golden dawn of freedom to our people."
professionals to Tuskegee, Booker T. Washington hired the
young teaching assistant, George W. Carver, in 1896. The two
men shared the belief that a practical education would make
African Americans self-sufficient. In a letter to Washington,
Carver said "it has always been the one ideal of my life to be of
the greatest good to the greatest number of my people possible
and to this end I have been preparing myself for these many
years, feeling as I do that this line of education is the key."
Carver believed that Tuskegee Institute was the place that could
"unlock the golden dawn of freedom to our people."
A gifted teacher, Carver was assigned various responsibilities at Tuskegee over a long
career. Although he was frustrated by Carver's management and administrative
shortcomings, Washington realized that Carver was "a great teacher, a great lecturer, a
great inspirer of young men and old men."
Applying his wide ranging research to finding practical solutions, Carver experimented
with seeds, soils, soil enrichment, and feed grains. "Soil enrichment, natural fertilizer
career. Although he was frustrated by Carver's management and administrative
shortcomings, Washington realized that Carver was "a great teacher, a great lecturer, a
great inspirer of young men and old men."
Applying his wide ranging research to finding practical solutions, Carver experimented
with seeds, soils, soil enrichment, and feed grains. "Soil enrichment, natural fertilizer
use, and crop rotation" was his message to students
and farmers. Carver developed fertilizers to produce
more food and better cash crops. As yields improved,
the creative researcher developed new products from
crops such as sweet potatoes and peanuts. His plant
hybridization, recycling, and use of locally available
technology was ahead of his time. Carver's work on
synthetic substitutes for petroleum products and paints
was of great interest to industry. He also patented
several inventions. All Carver's efforts were geared to
increasing African-American farmers' economic
independence.
and farmers. Carver developed fertilizers to produce
more food and better cash crops. As yields improved,
the creative researcher developed new products from
crops such as sweet potatoes and peanuts. His plant
hybridization, recycling, and use of locally available
technology was ahead of his time. Carver's work on
synthetic substitutes for petroleum products and paints
was of great interest to industry. He also patented
several inventions. All Carver's efforts were geared to
increasing African-American farmers' economic
independence.
http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/exhibits/Tuskegee/gwcgallery.htm
http://www.echostudiochicago.com/learn/george-washington-carver
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/02/18/037624.html
http://www.echostudiochicago.com/learn/george-washington-carver
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/02/18/037624.html
| ********** |
| George Carver, his brother James, and his adopted parents Moses and Susan Carver. Records of the Bureau of the Census Population Census Schedules, 1870, Missouri, Volume 19, Newton County. http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/exhibits..... |
| It has always been the one ideal of my life to be of the greatest good to the greatest number of my people possible and to this end I have been preparing myself for these many years, feeling as I do that this line of education is the key. -- George Washington Carver |
| ********** |