Connecticut Invents! Summer 09 Tour

Summer is just around the corner and so is the Summer 09 Tour of Connecticut Invents! I have 16 dates booked at various libraries across the state which I’ve listed below. This hands on program is best suited for kids entering grades 4-6, but parents and other caregivers are always invited to sit in on the program to learn about our inventive past. Contact the individual sites for more info about registration and other details.

June 30  10:00 am  Scranton Library, Madison

June 30 1:30 pm  Smith Library, Northford

July 2  10:00 am  Sherman Public Library

July 7  10:30 am  Pomfret Public Library

July 9  2:00 pm  Pequot Library, Southport

July 10 10:30 am  Stonington Free Public Library

July 14 1:00 pm  Saxton B Little Library, Columbia

July 15 2:00 pm  Hartford Public Library

July 21 10:30 am  Stratford Public Library

July 23 10:00 am  Cheshire Public Library

July 23 2:00 pm  West Hartford Public Library

July 30 10:30 am  Sprague Public Library

July 30 1:00 pm  Franklin Public Library

August 4 3:00 pm  Terryville Public Library

August 6 2:00 pm  Hartford Public Library (Goodwin Branch)

August 11 2:00 pm  Derby Neck Library

Hope to see you at one of these locations!

Connecticut Inventions Kind of Day

For the first time in 6 months we are going to hit 70 degrees today here in the Nutmeg State! So as I sit in my office glancing at the beautiful blue sky, my mind wanders to thinking of what I would rather be doing. And of course some CT inventions play a part…….

1. I’m hungry.  I would love to be scarfing down right now either a Ted’s Steamed Cheeseburger, a buttered lobster roll or a sub sandwich.

2.  I want to be outside.  Playing with a  Wiffle Ball or Frisbee sounds mighty tempting right about now.

3.  I’d like to be at Yankee Stadium.  I’m sure the Yankees catcher will be wearing a chest protector! Another CT Invention!!

4.  I’ve got to fix my deck at home. My trusty tape measure will sure come in handy! Thanks Alvin Fellows from New Haven back in 1868!

5.  It would be a great day for a drive in the country. Maybe to Litchfield county to drive over Bull’s Bridge in Kent which uses Ithiel Town’s Truss design.

That’s just a start. I gotta get out and enjoy this weather!!!

Inventions of 2008

Time Magazine has come out with their annual “The Best Inventions of the Year” list. Check it out and see what you think.

My favorites from the list include #1 the Retail DNA Test. I’ve already done one of these as part of my family history research. Accurate, inexpensive and amazing to me as historian. Mine disproved some old family stories and legends and brought up some new questions.

I also liked # 19 the Montreal Public Bike System. Basically they are bikes that can be rented for short periods of time when you are in the city. Other cities around the world have tried this including Paris with some success. The Montreal one is a bit more high tech and secure. Montreal is a great city that just got a bit cooler in my opinion. Hartford and other small cities are you listening???

#43 the High Tech Running Shoes also appeals to me as a runner. These shoes may be pricey now, but eventually this tech stuff will trickle down and be more affordable.

One invention of 08 that I don’t like is #38. Baseball’s instant replay. I’m a traditionalist, so if the game made it over 100 years without it, leave it alone. It’s a GAME after all and baseball has bigger problems to confront than instant replay. Like playing the World Series in November or a dwindling interest in baseball in urban America, etc. etc……….

Check out the list, it’s sure to make ya think. Happy New Year!!!!

Nutmeggery

As a lifelong Nutmegger, yes that is what we from Connecticut are often called, I figured it was due time I paid attention to Connecticut inventions associated with this diminutive, yet powerful spice. First of all a short lesson in Nutmeg 101……

The spice Nutmeg is actually the seed of the Nutmeg tree, which is an evergreen native to tropical Southeast Asia. The tree produces a fruit from which we get two spices, Nutmeg and Mace. Mace is the lace like, reddish colored covering which grows over the seed within the fruit.

Today Nutmeg is grown in several parts of the world including Grenada which actually features an image of  Nutmeg on its official flag. (Grenada is the second largest grower of Nutmeg, Indonesia is first.) Historically, Nutmeg was a much sought after crop. Thus, many conflicts occurred related to its cultivation and trade. The Dutch dominated the Nutmeg trade in the 17th century and of course had struggles with Great Britain for control of the trade for many years.

Nutmeg is used in many cuisines around the world including Middle Eastern, Indian, Greek and Japanese. The spice was very popular in late 17th and 18th century England where it became fashionable for a time for the “well to do” to wear small Nutmeg graters around their necks or tucked in small pockets. This was fashionable of course but also practical as fresh ground Nutmeg could mask the flavor of questionable quality food. Some of the small graters were made of silver and border on works of art in their design and execution. Prime examples bring high prices at auctions to this day.

Which in a round about way brings us to the Nutmeg State.  Why, you may ask is Connecticut called the Nutmeg State? Several explanations exist. The most nefarious and interesting in my opinion goes like this……Back in the old days when peddlers traveled around our young country selling their wares (including spices such as Nutmeg) one or two of them from Connecticut figured out a way they could trick a few country bumpkins and earn themselves a bit of extra money. These ingenious Connecticut Yankees carved from wood fake Nutmegs and mixed them in with the real thing. So a customer would agree to buy several Nutmegs and not discover until he or she later grated one on their food that not all that looks like Nutmeg is in fact Nutmeg. Remembering that they bought these from a Connecticut peddler they made the association and began to call folks from Connecticut Nutmeggers. Thus a nickname was born. Of course little if any actual evidence exists to support this story……….

Of course most Nutmeg is real and to use it correctly in food preparation the right tool is necessary. In this case it is a Nutmeg grater. Connecticut inventors had their own ideas of how and what these specific graters should look like. A quick search of the Connecticut Patent Database turns up three inventor who in consecutive years, 1877, 1878 and 1879 received patents for their versions of Nutmeg graters. Each one is uniquely different.

Of the three, Hartford’s Silas Barker is the most ornate for such a utilitarian task. His grater features an image of a dog on the top of the grater. Perhaps the dog accompanied him in his workshop while he was perfecting the grater?

Henry Scheibel’s version of 1876 is of a more typical rotary style grinder. His invention was to furnish “for family, restaurant and  other use an improved nutmeg grater, by which the nutmeg or other article may be quickly and conveniently grated, and used up entirely, without the least waste….”. He also stated that the grater “may be placed on the table to be used by everyone, as required, forming a handy and economical instrument for grating nutmegs and other articles with great facility and rapidity.”

Of course any talk of Nutmeg would be incomplete without a couple recipes to try. I think the Nutmeg Sugar Cookies and Honey Apple Pie would fit in quite well with any upcoming holiday gatherings. Any extras? Send em my way………

Hartford Election Cake-CT Invention?

This started off as a joke between a co-worker and I. (I was trying to sucker her into baking me a cake for an early morning meeting.) But now I think I may have found another Connecticut invention! The Election Cake, sometimes known historically as the Hartford Election Cake. Check out this interesting blog entry from the New York Public Library: Election Cake

Can a Rubber Band Change the World?

Maybe that is what Stephen Perry hoped for when he invented the rubber band in 1845 in London. All that I know is I still get a kick out of shooting them at my cat when he jumps on the kitchen counter. But I digress…

The Alliance Rubber Company announced the other day the first ever Rubber Band Contest for young inventors. It is for students in grades 5-8 and offers $20,000 in prizes. Imagine how many rubber bands you could buy with that!! Check out this site to learn more. Rubber Band Contest

Or, if Bubble Wrap is more your thing check out this, the Bubble Wrap Brand Competition for Young Inventors.

Also, check out this link for some great resources, links, games etc. for teachers, inventors or the just plain curious: National Museum of Education

Young Inventors Website

I just found a cool website that celebrates young American inventors. Check out the National Gallery for America’s Young Inventors. Amazing stuff these kids come up with, some of which I can’t even pronounce…..:)

Top Ten Connecticut Inventors-In My Opinion

In case you didn’t know, August is National Inventors Month, started in 1995 by the United Inventors Association, the Academy of Applied Science and Inventors Digest Magazine as a way to promote the image and contributions off inventors. Connecticut inventors have and continue to play a huge role in the “inventiveness” of our country. Every three minutes nationwide a patent is granted to an inventor by the US Patent Office and in Connecticut last year about 1500 patents were granted to Connecticut inventors.

So, between all this hoopla over inventors month, I now present to you my top ten Connecticut Inventors and their inventions, in no certain order. Feel free to disagree, I’m sure I’ll change my mind soon enough……

1. William Gray-modern baseball catchers chest protector(1883), a version of a catchers mask(1896). Can you tell I used to play catcher in Little League? He also invented the pay telephone…..

2. David N. Mullaney. The “Wiffleball”(1953) Because nothing feels better than crushing a “Wiffleball” in your backyard like Babe Ruth.

3. Louis Lassen. The Hamburger (1895). A great burger is an American tradition. No ketchup allowed!

4. Whomever invented the Steamed Cheeseburger. Heaven between a bun. The best are served at Ted’s in Meriden.

5. Gustave Whitehead. I’m pretty convinced he flew in Connecticut before Orville and Wilbur did in Kitty Hawk.

6. Igor Sikorsky. Another aviation pioneer, flew first helicopter in 1939. All these early aviation guys are heroes to me. Check out pics of Sikorsky flying in his open cockpit helicopter, wearing nothing but a suit and top hat!! These guys had guts….

7. David Bushnell. Inventor of the submarine From Saybrook Connecticut. His submarine, the “Turtle” was basically a one man, self propelled creation that was invented and used, unsuccessfully, in the American Revolution. Over 200 years ago! In the Revolutionary War!! Amazing…..The Connecticut River Museum has a great recreation of his sub.

8. Benny Capalbo. Speaking of subs, Benny invented the sub sandwich in New London Connecticut. Salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, olive oil. More heaven between a bun so to speak…..Update: I had a GREAT one the other day at Nardelli’s in Waterbury.

9. Samuel Colt. Inventor of the Revolving Pistol. We’ve got a huge collection of his stuff here at the museum so I guess he should be in here. Figured out mass production way before Henry Ford.

10. PT Barnum. I’m not a big circus guy but he did some amazing things and lived a remarkable life. His three ring circus is legendary. Plus he had a great quote “Build it and sell the hell out of it, then they will come”.

Connecticut Open House Day-June 14th 2008

The Museum of Connecticut History will take part in Connecticut’s Open House Day which happens this year on June 14th. Open House Day is the state’s Commission on Culture and Tourism’s one-day statewide event to celebrate Connecticut’s unique history and culture. Here at the museum we will offer several fun and informative family activities including, of course, a special Connecticut Invents! program. And best of all everything is FREE!

A number of other museums and institutions in downtown Hartford are also participating on the 14th. So make a day of it and discover what Connecticut has to offer. And when you come to the museum, don’t forget to take home your free Frisbee! (A Connecticut invention of course…..)

Below is a schedule for the days events at the Museum of Connecticut History. For more information about statewide events visit www.ctvisit.com

Free Frisbees to the first 100 Visitors!

9:00 Museum of Connecticut History opens
10:00 A visit from Jordan Freeman, an African-American Revolutionary War soldier from Connecticut.
11:00 Connecticut Invents! A special Open House Day program for all ages.
1:00 Family Scavenger Hunt. Explore Connecticut’s fascinating past during this guided hunt.
Remember all activities are free!! Please call 860-757-6693 with any questions.

Connecticut Invents! Summer 2008

I’ll be hitting the road this summer to locations around Connecticut, spreading the word about Connecticut inventors and inventions. The program will be offered to kids entering the 4th, 5th and 6th grades at the locations listed below. During the program participants will learn about famous and not so famous inventors and inventions, check out some neat Connecticut made stuff from the museum’s collection and of course try their hands at inventing. Below is what I have booked thus far, be sure to check back again to see further bookings as we get closer to summer.

June 26th   Easton Public Library   1:00

July 8th     North Haven Library   10:30

July 10th   Sprague Public Library   11:00

July 15th   Hartford Public Library   1:30

July 16th   Waterford Public Library   1:00

July 17th   Southbury Public Library   10:00

July 23rd   Putnam Public Library   1:00

July 24th   Sloane Stanley Museum (Kent)   7:00

July 29th   Franklin Library   10:00

July 31st   Marlborough Public Library   10:30

August 5th   Killingly Library   1:00

August 7th   Woodbridge Library   2:00

August 14th   Cheshire Public Library   10:30

August 19th   Ridgefield Public Library   10:30