Podcast Summary
Discoveries from the Civil War era: A young historian unearthed a hidden photograph of Lincoln's body during his funeral journey and the first official Lincoln photograph, providing valuable insights into the Civil War era.
The Civil War era was a time of significant innovation and change, from the development of new technologies like photojournalism and can openers, to the establishment of a national currency and the evolution of premade clothing. An intriguing discovery made by a young historian in 1952 sheds light on this period, as he uncovered a previously unknown photograph of Abraham Lincoln's body in his open casket during his funeral journey. This photograph, which was confiscated due to strict rules against taking pictures, made national headlines when it was rediscovered nearly 90 years later. Additionally, during the early stages of the Civil War, Lincoln's first official photograph also gained attention. Today, these historical discoveries serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving and uncovering the past.
Impact of the right tools and the right moment: Olive and June revolutionized at-home manicures, while Lincoln's partnership with Brady shaped his political success through the power of the right tools and the right moment
Olive and June's manicure system allows for salon-quality nails at home for an affordable price, providing a game-changing improvement over previous DIY attempts. Meanwhile, the historic partnership between Abraham Lincoln and Matthew Brady showcased the power of a well-timed photograph in shaping public perception and political success. Lincoln's first professional portrait by Brady played a significant role in his rise to the presidency, and Brady's international fame allowed him to capture history during the American Civil War. These two stories demonstrate the impact of having the right tools (Olive and June) and the right moment (Lincoln and Brady) in achieving remarkable results.
The Civil War: First Major Conflict Documented Through Photography: The Civil War marked the beginning of photojournalism, with Mathew Brady leading the industry by documenting battles and their aftermath, sparking public interest and changing the perception of warfare.
The Civil War marked a pivotal moment in the history of photography, as it was the first major conflict to be extensively documented through this medium. Prior to this, photography was mostly used for formal portraits and was not yet a part of daily news reporting. The invention of the daguerreotype, the first practical process of photography, led to the development of negatives and mass printing through woodcuts. This brought photography to the average American and sparked an interest in documenting real-life events. Mathew Brady, a prominent photographer of the time, led this new industry of photojournalism by documenting battlefields, camps, and people affected by the war. Despite his team's contributions, Brady often took credit for their work, leading to a split and the famous event at Gettysburg where Brady and his team arrived to document the aftermath of the battle, but were met with the ongoing discovery of bodies. This period forever changed the perception of warfare and the role of photography in reporting news.
Documenting the Reality of the Civil War with a Camera: Photographers like Mathew Brady and Alexander Gardner used their cameras to document the Civil War, but they staged some images and exploited individuals, raising ethical questions about their role in history.
During the Civil War, photographers like Mathew Brady and Alexander Gardner used their cameras to document the battlefields and the realities of the war. However, they didn't just capture the scenes as they were. They staged some images, moving corpses to get the shot they wanted, which went against the ethical standards of photojournalism. Despite this, their work had a significant impact on the national debate about slavery. One of the most famous images is of a runaway slave named Gordon, whose back was badly scarred from whippings. The photograph of Gordon, taken by William D. Macpherson and Oliver, was widely published and helped to expose the horrors of enslavement to the public. Gordon, who had escaped and joined the Union Army, had little control over how his image was used or the profit it brought to the photographers. The use of staged images and the exploitation of individuals like Gordon raises ethical questions about the role of photographers in documenting history.
Photography's Role in Shaping Public Perception During the Civil War: Photography played a crucial role in shaping public opinion during the Civil War era, with iconic images like 'A Typical Negro' inspiring enlistment and the bald eagle Old Abe becoming a national symbol.
During the Civil War era, photography played a significant role in shaping public perception. An infamous image of a man named Gordon, who was a formerly enslaved person, was mass-produced and sold as a calling card, showcasing the brutal realities of enslavement and the courage of Black Americans. This image, titled "A Typical Negro," inspired many free Blacks in the North to enlist. Civil War photographers used complicated equipment to capture stereo views, creating a unique and immersive experience. One of the most well-known figures in the Civil War was not a person but a bald eagle named Old Abe, who served as a mascot for the 8th Wisconsin infantry regiment. Old Abe's image was also sold to benefit veterans charities. Photography during this time had a profound impact on public opinion, contributing to the adoption of the bald eagle as the American icon and the production of new national paper currency to fund the war effort.
Effective and long-lasting deodorant without heavy perfumes: Lume's deodorant uses mandelic acid for odor control and has earned 300,000 five-star reviews. New customers can get a starter pack with three products and two free items. Abraham Lincoln's financial struggles influenced his political decisions, leading to the National Currency Act in 1862.
Lume whole body deodorant offers effective and long-lasting odor control using mandelic acid, while avoiding heavy perfumes. This game-changing deodorant, inspired by patients' concerns, has earned over 300,000 five-star reviews. For new customers, Lume's starter pack is a great value, including a solid stick deodorant, cream tube deodorant, and two free products. Additionally, OneSkin's skin care products, featuring their proprietary OS One peptide, are easy to incorporate into a routine and focus on cellular aging. Abraham Lincoln's experiences with unreliable currency and credit influenced his political outlook, leading to the creation of the National Currency Act in 1862, which established a uniform national currency and a system of nationally chartered banks.
Mid-19th century advancements in banking and industry: The National Bank Act stabilized the banking system, promoting economic growth and American nationalism. The industrial revolution introduced new machines, power sources, and production methods, leading to efficient industries and the rise of new ones, but also brought challenges like labor issues and dangerous working conditions.
During the mid-19th century, significant changes occurred in both the money and banking system and the manufacturing industry in the United States. The National Bank Act provided a stable framework for the banking system, boosting economic growth and promoting American nationalism. Simultaneously, the industrial revolution brought about new machines, power sources, and production methods, leading to more efficient industries and the rise of new ones. However, these advancements came with challenges, such as long working hours, poor pay, and dangerous conditions, which gave rise to the trade union movement. One specific innovation during this period was the invention of left and right shoes, which revolutionized footwear production and made it more comfortable for individuals. These advancements, though challenging at times, ultimately shaped the economic landscape of the United States.
The transformation to standardized sizing in clothing: The shift to standardized sizing revolutionized the clothing industry, enabling mass production and making clothing more accessible, although inconsistencies in women's sizes remain a challenge
The transformation to standardized sizing in clothing, which began with the mass production of uniforms for soldiers during the Civil War, has had varying degrees of success. Initially, clothing was tailored to individual measurements, but the need to clothe large numbers of soldiers efficiently led to the creation of ready-to-wear sizes. This system carried over to the civilian market after the war, and while it worked well for men's clothing, women's clothing sizes have remained more inconsistent over time. This inconsistency can be frustrating for consumers, as the same size can vary significantly between brands and even within the same brand. Despite this challenge, the shift to standardized sizing was a significant advancement in the clothing industry, allowing for mass production and making clothing more accessible to a wider population. Additionally, advancements in technology and industry during Lincoln's presidency demonstrate his forward-thinking approach to transforming industries.
Communication and mail delivery revolutionized during Civil War era: Advancements in telegraph, postal service, and can openers transformed daily life during the Civil War era, setting the stage for modern conveniences
During the Civil War era, advancements in communication and mail delivery revolutionized the way information and goods were transmitted across long distances. Lincoln's reliance on the telegraph led to further investments in communication technology, from the telephone to the internet. The postal service underwent its own transformation, with the first statute for general postal delivery passed in 1863 and rural home delivery initiated in 1896. However, even with these advancements, humans sometimes found themselves behind the curve. For instance, it took until 1858 for Ezra Warner to invent the first US can opener, despite the idea of storing food in cans dating back 50 years earlier. Overall, these innovations greatly impacted daily life and set the stage for modern conveniences.
The Can Opener: A Civil War Era Innovation: The can opener, invented during the Civil War era by Ezra Warner, revolutionized grocery shopping by allowing clerks to open cans for customers, making it convenient for people to take their food home. This innovation sparked a wave of improvement patents and symbolized the spirit of invention during that time.
The invention of the can opener during the Civil War era by Ezra Warner was a game-changer in American grocery shopping. His simple yet effective design allowed clerks to open cans for customers, making it convenient for people to take their food home. This innovation sparked a wave of improvement patents, symbolizing the spirit of invention that thrived during that time. The convenience of having cans opened at the store was similar to having bread sliced at a bakery. This ingenuity of the Civil War era has become a cornerstone of American ingenuity. Stay tuned for our last episode in the series, "Secrets of the Civil War," where we will explore more fascinating stories. If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to hit the follow or subscribe button, leave a rating, review, or share on social media. We appreciate your support and will see you again soon. This episode was written and researched by Sharon McMahon, Heather Jackson, Valerie Hoback, Amy Watkin, and Mandy Reid. Our executive producer is Heather Jackson, and our audio producer is Jenny Snyder. Hosted by me, Sharon McMahon.
