Daniel Sheridan

#OTD The U.S. Constitution reads, "The Congress shall have power…to promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries…" Nancy Johnson took advantage of this sweet provision on September 9, 1843, who was issued patent #3254 for her hand-cranked ice cream maker and freezer machine. The patent read, "Be it known that I, NANCY M. JOHNSON of the city of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful improvement in the Art of Producing Artificial Ices, and that the following [...]

Ideas Change The World, by Daniel Sheridan Wars usually make the news, and war movies dominate cinema. That's because they are "exciting." Bullets zipping across the battlefield and men storming the beaches of Normandy inspire thrilling musical scores. But ideas, unlike war, are born of contemplation, mature through discussion, and ultimately make lasting change. #OTD, August 29, 1632, one of the philosophers of the Glorious Revolution, John Locke, was born. Locke wrote "Two Treatises of Government," a work inspired by the Glorious Revolution. Here, Locke espoused that all men have a natural right to life, liberty, and property and established [...]

On this day, August 2, 1923, the first President elected by women died in office, and the Vice President took the oath by the light of a kerosene lamp. By Daniel Sheridan

#OTD, July 31, 1790, the very first American patent, which George Washington signed, was issued to Samuel Hopkins for a process of making potash, an ingredient used in fertilizer.  Abraham Lincoln believed that the invention of the printing press, the discovery of America, and the American patent system brought about the most significant advances in human civilization.  The #Constitution provides for patent laws in Article 1, Section 8, which reads, “Congress shall have power to…promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries…” [...]

#OTD, July 30, 1619, the first legislative body chosen by the people met in Virginia, which marks the birthday of America's free institutions. Posted by Daniel Sheridan

#OTD, June 9, 1781, a man was born whose world-changing invention built America. In the 1830s, the world began progressing technologically at unprecedented levels through the efforts of inventors busily applying their talents for humanity’s sake. One revolutionized travel, helped build America, and expanded narrow minds as a by-product. Here’s the story.  In 1807, Bostonians built the first American railroads, called tramways, which were temporary rail lines designed to transfer loads out of coal mines. Meanwhile, boats and factories utilized steam engines. One day, a clever inventor combined the two technologies. George Stephenson, an English civil and mechanical engineer, was [...]

#OTD, July 9, 1776, General George Washington orders that the Declaration of Independence is to be read to the troops.  General Orders, 9 July 1776...Head Quarters, New York... ...The Honorable the Continental Congress, impelled by the dictates of duty, policy, and necessity, having been pleased to dissolve the Connection which subsisted between this Country, and Great Britain, and to declare the United Colonies of North America, free and independent STATES: The several brigades are to be drawn up this evening on their respective Parades, at six o'clock, when the declaration of Congress, shewing the grounds & reasons of this measure, [...]

#OTD, July 8, 1889, the “Wall Street Journal” begins publishing. “Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech or of the press...” #FirstAmendment Sir William Blackstone said, “Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public.” Freedom of speech is essential in a society, for free debate leads to the correction of public errors. But Blackstone also warned that “if he publishes what is improper, mischievous, or illegal, he must take the consequences of his temerity.” Freedom of speech comes with responsibilities. “The only security of all is in a free press. The force [...]

However, it was #OTD, June 28th, 1776, a committee consisting of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston presented the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress. To best celebrate that day, we should try to put ourselves in our founder's shoes. What were they doing when they signed their names on that document? What could it have cost them? Would we have done the same? Think about these questions throughout the week. John Adams said, "Posterity! You will never know, how much it cost the present Generation, to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will [...]

Captain John Barry: An American-Irish Naval Hero and “Father of the American Navy” – By Daniel Sheridan On June 27, 1963, President John F. Kennedy laid a wreath at the memorial to the Revolutionary War hero, John Barry, of Wexford, on the first full day of his visit to Ireland. Who is John Barry? The British Navy dominated the seas in the 1770s. During the Revolutionary War, the American Navy was no match for them. But private ship owners bravely filled the gap. Congress granted them the authority to “distress the enemies of the United States by sea or land.” [...]

#OTD, June 25, 1798, An Act Concerning Aliens is by Daniel SheridanIt’s the 1790s. Trouble is brewing in France. Meanwhile, we were having trouble at home. Many American newspapers favored France, and the editors viciously attacked President Adams and Great Britain. In 1798, Congress tried to check these offenses by passing two laws:1. The Alien Law authorized the President to banish any foreigner he considered dangerous to the peace and safety of America. The law read in part: “Confers power on the President to order aliens to depart…Such as the President shall judge dangerous to the peace and safety of [...]