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| ANCIENT, BUT GREAT BEGINNINGS (1800-1900) |
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Commercial Interests Carry the
Weight By the beginning of the nineteenth century, Connecticut was a politically conservative state and a stronghold of the Federalist Party, which was led by wealthy commercial interests who favored a strong central government Thomas Jefferson's election as president in 1800 was opposed because of his Republican leanings, which countered the federalists' advocation of individuals' and states' rights. When the War of 1812 arose, Connecticut Federalists refused aid to U.S. troops in response to grievances over maritime trade laws — in particular, Jefferson's Embargo Act of 1807, which prohibited U.S. vessels from trading with Europe. Maritime trade was extremely important to Connecticut, and rumors soon surfaced that Connecticut was considering ceding from the Union. Of course, we're still here. The Federalist Party soon lost control in Connecticut. State railroads and canals encouraged large-scale industry, and The Civil War (1861-1865) demanded heavily for weapons, munitions, and textiles — much of which came out of Connecticut and stimulated the state's economy. By the end of the nineteenth century, Connecticut was predominantly industrial and famous for a variety of products, including Colt and Winchester firearms, International silverware, Seth Thomas clocks, Hitchcock chairs, Stanley tools, Royal typewriters, and Scovill brass. The new industrial era brought scores of immigrant workers into Connecticut, and by 1910, 30 percent of the state's population was foreign-born. |
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Connecticut — Flexing Her Wings
The first American human-carrying derigible flight took place over the Connecticut River. In 1878, Bridgeport inventor Charles F. Ritchel designed and built a hand-powered balloon constructed of a rubber gas bag made by Goodyear Rubber Company (Naugatuck). The Folansbee Machine Shop (Bridgeport) made the brass framework in which the balloonist sat. By hand-turning a drive gear, the balloon was propelled and maneuvered by a small propeller. Eventually, five of the early dirigibles were built and sold. Flights were made in Massachusetts and elsewhere, harkening the beginning of Connecticut's important role in national aviation. In 1884, Hartford dentist Horace Wells stumbled upon the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) as a medical anesthetic. His momentous discovery changed the world of medicine and improved the science of pain management for people worldwide. |
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Did You
Know 1806 — West Hartford native Noah Webster publishes the first truly American Dictionary, A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language. His later editions, renamed Webster's, would become the standard for the American English language. 1820 — The continent of Antarctica is discovered by a Connecticut native, Captain Nathaniel Palmer of Stonington. 1843 — Charles Goodyear (New Haven) perfects his process for 'vulcanizing' rubber, combining it with sulfur to create a soft, pliable substance unaffected by temperature. 1846 — The first U.S. life insurance company, Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, is chartered in Connecticut. 1858 — Ezra J. Warner of Waterbury, Connecticut, patents the first can opener. 1877 — The first telephone exchange in the world begins in New Haven, Connecticut. |
| Connecticut
Faces in History Nathan Hale (Coventry, CT)  Born on June 6, 1755, Hale graduated from Yale in 1773 and began teaching in East Haddam, Connecticut. Shortly thereafter, he took over the position of master of New London Grammar School. But when the Revolutionary War broke out, Hale volunteered and rose from lieutenant to captain in the elite Knowlton Rangers. But Washington needed spies to infiltrate the British, and Hale again volunteered. History is not clear on the events that followed, only that Hale was captured in New York by the British on September 21, 1776. General William Howe tried to bribe Hale for information and defection to the British cause. Hale refused and was sentenced to death. But before he died by hanging on September 22 at the young age of 21, Hale spoke the famous words: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." (Photo Courtesy of www.cia.gov.) |
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HOME • FLIGHTS • A SHORT FLIGHT THROUGH HISTORY
Catherine L. Young, Airport Manager
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