My contibution to the history page

[JC]

have fun

http://www.plumbingworld.com/historyamerica.html

[Sponsored Links]

[John Bridge]

Interesting and enjoyable. I'm glad you posted it, JC. I want to caution everyone, though, that this is what's called "pop history." It's purpose is more entertainment than serious history. Much is taken at face value by the compiler, and inaccuracies are frequent. Here is one example:

"A Dr. Benjamin Rush had the bad luck to have a well with horrible-tasting water in his backyard. The whole town flocked to it to cure all kinds of ailments. When the over pumped well went dry, the people learned too late that the well connected to the doctor's privy."

Now you can tell by the way the author refers to "a" Dr. Benjamin Rush that he is not familiar with him. Yet Benjamin Rush, a signer of both the Declaration of Independence AND the Constitution of the United States, is a leading character at the forefront of politics during the Founding Period. Dr. Rush spearheaded efforts to improve sanitation in the Colonies and later in the U.S.

In short, a person who has no knowledge of Benjamin Rush cannot be trusted to accurately portray American History. I have no doubt that the reported event pertaining to Dr. Rush's water well did not occur.

I've written a few tongue-in-cheek pieces pertaining to American History myself. As we get farther into things I'll share some of them with you.

[JC]

With all the data in there I found it hard to believe someone could do that much research..did you read the other links at the top?

What brought me to this particular site was a question on another forum about "why do they put the dates in the back of commodes".
I still have not found the answer..if anyone know..do tell.

update: heres an asswer I got from a plumbigng fourm connected to the above linked site.

>>The date, (and often the model number), is stamped into the tanks and tank lids of newer name brands toilets also. And sometimes in the bottom of bowl. It helps with warranty claims and replacement parts. They also put the same information on many of their other fixtures.<<

Pretty active forum I might add.

http://www.plbg.com/cgi-bin/forum.pl

[Edited by JC on 03-10-2002 at 10:03 AM]

[Cami A]

Well, here's my contribution to the history forum...I think I'm going to invest a few hours each week in this site; it's huge.

American Memory (http://memory.loc.gov/)-from the Library of Congress. Seven million items from more than 100 historical collections...

[John Bridge]

It's huge all right. A person could spend a lifetime trying to get through all that stuff. Guess I'd better get cracking, eh? ;)

[flatfloor]

Nice find JC.

I'm off to confirm some stuff I know but am fuzzy about. LI and the revolutin.

[flatfloor]

Here's one that COULD be a gold mine, the links so impressed me I thought I would add it here.

http://www.seanet.com/Users/pamur/revo.html

[Sonnie Layne]

All,

Am History is the subject at hand
I understand
but my interest lies
beyond to the history of
civilized man.

Any directions? I skipped this
via taxonomic studies.

Now that I've seen it,
I'd like to understand it.
(more better).

Say,,,from recent pre-Roman conquest forward?
I love to read.

Again, I'm in awe of my company,

S

[John Bridge]

Sonnie,

This board is not limited to American History by any means. Read the description: "Anybody's history will do."

Hold forth, buddy. ;)

[flatfloor]

I first posted this by mistake in the Mudbox

I have been trying to get some material together, but I have been too busy with dumb stuff. But I do know that Long Island was a hotbed of espionage during the revolution. Nathan Hale is buried here, Huntington, LI. More to come.

BTW, History channel last night on the Lewis and Clark Expedition; a Dr Benjamin Rush provided the laxitives for the expedition. Called his concoction "The Thunderball", or close to that, it was late and now I disremember.

Congress had allocated $2,500 for the expedition they spent $38,000 for supplies.
__________________

[John Bridge]

And here I thought you were going to clue us in on the wanderings of St. Brendan. ;)

[flatfloor]

Have no fear, St Brendan will be here!