Entrepreneurs & Inventors

P.T. Barnum, New Details

blankAmerican Snapshots, my November newsletter on “P.T. Barnum, Promoter Extraordinaire”, provided a few snippets of information about P.T. Barnum, and last week I received an email from friend, author and expert, David Carlyon, Ph.D. Carlyon is not only a theatre historian who has written a book about the very successful 19th century performer, Dan Rice (Dan Rice: The Most Famous Man You’ve Never Heard Of), but he spent the early years of his career working as a clown with the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus.

P.T. Barnum, New Details Read More »

blank

Little-Known Facts about the Pony Express and the Mail

blankThough the Pony Express began in 1860 and only existed for eleven months, almost every American has heard about this early way of delivering the mail. However, here are some facts you probably don’t know:

  • The official name of the Pony Express was The Central Overland, California and Pikes Peak Express Company.
  • Young boys were generally hired because of the company rule that no rider should weigh more than 125 pounds.

Little-Known Facts about the Pony Express and the Mail Read More »

blank

Women Inventors

blankIf asked to name a woman inventor, could you? They are out there but male inventors have dominated for years. Until about 1840, only about 20 patents were issued to women. One speculation as to why so few women received patents has to do with women’s legal status in the 19th century. Because they had few legal rights, they would not stand to gain from the sale of any patent; those who did have worthy ideas tended to take out the patent under the names of their husband’s or father’s.

Women Inventors Read More »

blank

Start typing and press enter to search

Translate »
Scroll to Top