National Rifle Association Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

National Rifle Association - Essay Example The NRA in modern civil society receives much scrutiny for its stance on guns and people's right to maintain them but the NRA merely advocates correct gun usage as opposed to the implementation of guns in the world as they are perceived by many people to do (Helmut 2004). However, it must be stated that this stance is not one of promoting violence, but one promoting their basic foundation, the implementation of knowledge. Is gun possession for protection a civil liberty Well many people in the current civil society believe that there is enough independence in choice of human conduct. People are increasingly creating awareness that it's the person behind the weapon that commits a crime and not the weapon itself! The founders of national rifle Association believed that people in modern society were responsible enough to control their character even when in possession of a dangerous weapon like a gun (Kant, 2003 p. 33). Although NRA was faced with so much criticisms of controversy, it was one of the most influential lobby groups in the United States. There was growing need to support the second amendment which encouraged responsible gun ownership in the name of self defense. As a result of this, the NRA was formed from the views of two retired army officers who primarily wanted to make the entire human society more knowledgeable about the handling of firearms. Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate started NRA in 1871 to be able to promote a sense of scientific process among all individuals whenever they handle firearms (Anderson p. 186). After the US charter in the State of New York approved the existence of the NRA the First President of the organization, US Senator Gen. Ambrose Burnside, took responsibility of this position (NRA HQ website). Ambrose Burnside as the first president, he tried his best to establish the organization's reputation in the society that they were most involved with. The aim of this body was make the society more responsible in the way of handling guns for self-protection grounds. It is indeed from the primary aims of the founders of the organization that NRA actually started out to affect the modern civil society as a whole. George Washington once said, "Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself." (Wilson 2002) I think that is a simple approach the NRA is taking on the consideration of the Second Amendment and trying to instruct the proper safety of handling a firearm. Hence, through the financial support provided by the Long Island and Creed Farm, the organization was able to establish a practice range that would train numerous individuals, with their own guns, for the purpose of self defense. The Credmor, NRA's first training grounds, was established in 1872. (Anderson p. 20 3) It was the initial venue for the first ever annual shooting matches that happened during those years. Up to this day, the organization aims to educate everyone in the society about the need to be responsible and knowledgeable about the right usage of guns and firearms. In an aim to educate everyon

The world of science Essay Example for Free

The world of science Essay The world of science has always been an interest for human beings. The need to understand the unknown, to discover cures for diseases, to comprehend how the human body works are the driving force for man to pursue different medical fields. Disease has been something that has haunted and scared people over the years. The discovery of penicillin and other amazing drugs have been phenomenal because they provide a certain hope for those who are ill. Plaques, epidemics and the like used to be a mystery for scientists. However, with the advancement of research, the development of experimental theories and tools, medical professionals soon came up with answers to end high mortality rates. Laboratory experiments have been especially effective in discovering transmission of disease. Scientists now have the knowledge to say whether one type of species is more susceptible to a certain strain of disease causing bacteria than others. The proliferation of certain species, insects, to be more specific, in a particular region also gives scientists a clue regarding how to control, isolate and manipulate the transfer of the illnesses. This is where medical entomology comes in. In numerous reviews that concern the history of medical entomology, people have always regarded the obvious as insignificant. Insects, arthropods and parasites are normal occurrence in the environment. Through the years, people thought that they are harmless until certain events occur. Even in non-medical sources, such as the Bible, one can find reference to insects being the cause of a plague. Although people cannot explain it lengthily then, they have a vague idea that these creatures that originally seemed harmless, could actually cause a catastrophic event that would destroy crops and cause a number of people death. This paper aims to provide a brief background and discuss medical entomology. Since this field of medical science is connected with other fields such as Public Health and Epidemiology, definition of other areas of study would also be discussed to highlight the difference of medical entomology with the said fields. Researches, discoveries and markers of development in this field would also be explained. Specific studies made in the United States would be cited to further emphasize the role of medical entomology in this particular region. This citations of studies would also emphasize on the applications of medical entomology and its practical use in society. Lastly, medical entomology and its various aspects would be correlated to different studies so that the importance of such a field would be completely and clearly understood. Prevention is said to be better than cure. Medical entomology lives up to this saying and this paper aims to discuss how significant this science is to the every day life of society. Entomology is said to be a field of science that dates back to hundreds of years ago. After all, as one scientist mentioned, how can anyone put a date to the study of insects and parasites (Rogers, 1960)? It is known that the eighteenth century truly provided a great turn for entomology as this is the age when organization and taxonomy were finally established for orderly study of insects (Rogers, 1960). The founders of this science were not experts on this field. Instead, they were ordinary people—some who were not even able to finish formal education, some are in the medical profession or even the law. They were not paid for the service they rendered but through these people, medical entomology—its core foundation was established (Rogers, 1960). At present, there are different diseases that remain without cure. For years, people have tried and studied varying carriers and vectors for the fast spread of disease. They found that insects, arthropods, water and food are some of the possible vehicles for disease transmission. Public heath—monitoring, researching and conducting surveys to make sure that health is promoted plays a big role in every day lives of individuals (Edman and Eldridge, 2004). It is through this field of medicine that one is able to understand the prevalence and incidence of a certain disease or phenomenon that is happening, over time or even in just a specific period. Through the years, sub-specializations under Public Health proliferated. Medical entomology is actually one of the fields often regarded as a branch of Epidemiology (Edman and Eldridge, 2004). To be more specific, the field of medical entomology deals with the study of insects and closely related arthropods that play a crucial role in the condition of human health. This may be related to behavior, ecology, and as earlier mentioned, epidemiology of arthropod diseases (Edman and Eldridge, 2004). The main goal of medical entomology is to provide substantial information that could be helpful for government officials, medical professionals, scientists and the like to ensure that the public is safe and away from harm (Edman and Eldridge, 2004). In comparison, epidemiology is basically the study of the occurrence of diseases in different types of people. This is valuable in preventing illness and evaluating present strategies and programs aimed at promoting public health. It is for this definition that medical entomology, public health and epidemiology have an interrelation that is unavoidable. Over the years, people have started paying much attention to medical entomology. With the development of drugs and discovery of diseases and their cures, it is only important to understand the transmission, distribution of certain vectors and factors aiding the widespread of disease and infection. Studies and researches flourished aiming to alert the public and health officials of upcoming dangers to specific species of insects and arthropods. Medical entomology in the United States has played a significant role in disease prevention. As early as the 1800’s researchers have been providing relevant studies that could assist in determining vectors for specific diseases. In the University of Maryland, the Department of Entomology was established as early as 1859 (Entomology, 1986). Agricultural research was highly connected to this field and as insects damaged Maryland in the mid 1890’s legislators were forced to establish the State Horticultural Department (SHD). Regulation, field work and education were the core concepts that the SHD implemented to decrease the occurrences of catastrophic events like crops damage (Entomology, 1986). The academic, experimental and practical aspects of medical entomology became realized and actually applied to prevent further economic degradation for the state. More changes in the University of Maryland occurred in relation to medical entomology. In the 1920’s, they established three main departments aiming at three things. One of this is the eradication of insects which have been introduced to the United States, like the Japanese Beetle (Entomology, 1986). Another is the study of the effective use of pesticides. Lastly, the graduate school of entomology was opened. This has become the start of the realization of the importance of medical entomology. Other states followed and so did the flow of studies. In an article by Madden (1945), he showed how important medical entomology is for society. Florida as he mentioned is a state severely affected by insect-borne diseases. Some of the reasons he depicted in his article talked about how Florida is a subtropical state conducive to the propagation of insects, and the fact that they are near the West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America (Madden, 1945). These things, Madden claimed, could minister to the transmission of insect related diseases and infections (Madden, 1945). In 1973, the importance of a link between science and government has been greatly emphasized. The United States government started realizing and actually paying attention to researches that are concerned with parasitology. Emphasis on how biomedical researches should be given a reasonable budget because they greatly concern public safety was raised (Weinstein, 1973). In addition to this, the government made certain scientists advisors for allocation of funding and grants for biomedical research and training (Weinstein, 1973). Medical entomologists are not confined in the specific field of medical science. Consistent with their jobs in the eighteen hundreds, they remain to play a role in government offices. The U. S. Department of Defense and Centers for Disease Control employs a number of entomologists (www. entsoc. org, 2000). One proof of the current interaction of the United States government and medical entomology is Dr. Robert D. Hall (www. entsoc. org, 2000). The acclaimed professor and researcher is presently employed with the judicial system. He is consulted with regard to law enforcement and interpretation of entomological evidence (www. entsoc. org, 2000). Another study, one by Darsie and Ward (2005), concerned the understanding of the morphology of mosquitoes, their geographical distribution in North America and north of Mexico. By producing such research, they are able to document and possibly correlate certain diseases that profuse in such areas with the mosquitoes that are proliferating there. A related study dealt with the general worldwide threat of arthropod-transmitted diseases (Lederberk, et al, 2002). The associated morbidity and mortality of the cases were taken into consideration. This highlights the need for insect repellant products. The availability of chemical products that could combat such species in the United States were enumerated and studied. The researchers found out which ones were most effective and could provide protection against insects and keep the public less susceptible to acquiring the disease (Lederberk, et al, 2002). Another player in this field, Jerome Goddard devoted a book to the study of major vector-borne diseases around the world. Instead of just focusing on mosquitoes, he dealt with ticks, fleas, and other vectors such as Chaga’s disease and scrub thyphus, to name a few (Goddard, 2000). In his study he provided full length description of the vectors involved provided guidelines for its treatment and controls. He also gave detailed information regarding the biology and geographical distribution of certain species that concerned his study (Goddard, 2000). In this type of research, he was able to pin point and specifically identify vectors that could be harmful and could possibly the transport of diseases to different countries and even continents, without the exception of the United States. His book and study remains as the gold standard reference in understanding the transmission and morphology of insects. As one can see, medical entomology is not concentrated to only one species. Although it may seem that mosquitoes are most paid attention too, other scientists and researchers have been demonstrating interest in different species as well. In a study by Drexler (2000), she applied medical entomology to a subject that could be more applicable to modern day. Anti-terrorism is one of the biggest issues governments are facing today. Especially in the United States where it seems that this is becoming government priority. Medical entomology can play a role here as well. The researcher refers to it as â€Å"the war on germs. † According to Drexler (2000), bioterrorism is one of the biggest threats that could face individuals today. The role of the entomologist is to identify specific vectors for disease and not only focus on one. Food-borned illness or pandemic flu may be caused not only by mosquitoes but also other agents. The more one knows about the source, the more action one can provide against infection. Rapid response and keen surveillance should be skills that entomologists should develop in order to be effective in their field (Drexler, 2000). Providing rapid action could save lives and possibly isolate disease and prevent high morbidity. With the advancement of technology, medical entomology also copes with the fast-paced changes. Different programs such as ProMed-mail (Madoff, 2004) have been made to make archiving and the data base system for infectious diseases, and their causes more efficient. Pro-Med’s main objective is to report outbreaks of infectious diseases that affect humans. It utilizes and maximizes the internet to make sure that researches are instantaneously updated regarding different illnesses that concern entomology. It also serves as an early warning system, should there be a significant imbalance in the ecosystem that could possibly be a threat to human beings (Madoff, 2004). Working hand in hand with the agricultural sector to monitor livestock is also a part of ProMed. This is because ProMed recognizes the importance of these animals in disease transmission. Aside from other scientists in ProMed, medical entomologists have a great responsibility in checking the validity of studies and the information that is made accessible to the public (Madoff, 2004). As one can see from the discussion, medical entomology is of great importance to society. It not only provides knowledge regarding different species or insects and arthropods, it also correlates to disease and susceptibility of human beings to illness. Although entomology also tries to research on cure for certain diseases that are cause by arthropods, medical entomology has the primary goal of preventing the spread of diseases. By understanding the morphology of insects, one is able to predict how fast it can spread the disease it is carrying. In a time where technology is highly being utilized and cure for a great number of diseases is being discovered, individuals realize the importance of medical entomology and the roles it plays in society. It is important to remember that it is a field that cannot stand alone. It works with different other medical sciences and even the government to be able to maximize the knowledge and discoveries it encounters. As for the medical entomology in the United States, it puts great emphasis on the factors resulting to the emergence of microbial threats. These threats open the eyes of the public and alert them to be more cautious of their environment. By providing relevant information, one can be vigilant and the government can provide cost-effective strategies for disease prevention and maintaining the public’s health in the United States. At present, the government is still working hand in hand with medical entomologists. Researches are still being funded because the government has recognized the importance of prevention. It is definitely more cost efficient and effective to avoid threats rather than provide cure when an outbreak has already occurred. Infectious disease is an inevitable part of life. However, this does not mean that people should just remain exposed to such variables that may cause disease. Prevention is the key to avoid catastrophic outbreaks or plaques. With the right tools, sufficient knowledge, prevention can be done.

Technology in the Classroom Essay -- Technology Technological Essays

Technology in the Classroom Classrooms of the future will be different than they are today; as they will include more and newer forms of technology. These technological advances will be readily available for use by both students and teachers. I see my classroom making use of the many forms of technology that are available, including: PowerPoint presentations, electron microscopes, video conferencing, web-sites, and smart boards. These many forms of technology available will serve both educational and informational purposes. As technology changes so too must classrooms. This is why I see my classroom being different than those of today, the ones we are used to. I see my students making more use of PowerPoint for their presentations. This will be in place of posters and will help get students ready, early on, for more technology that can be a little challenging. PowerPoint could also help more with the creative process and be used for small (2 or 3 students) group work. Working on these presentations would be very beneficial for cooperation skills as well as make use of communication. Students would also take more ownership of their presentation when they invest more time with it, a great advantage of PowerPoint. Although PowerPoint is already widely available for upper lever classrooms, middle school and beyond, I can foresee them used in elementary school as well, third grade and beyond. Electron microscopes will also be used in my classroom to help with insects on insects or other small animals. These will most likely be used in a science environment and would aid in better understanding of anatomies. For example, a classroom from the Clear View Charter School used these ... ...s and becomes more advanced, readily available for use, so too will my classroom. I will adapt teaching and learning approaches, for students, with use of new and innovative technologies. Students will make use of technology and become more involved with the lesson being taught. As a result, learning would happen with more ease and less confusion. Works Cited Orrep, Becky. (2005). Smart Boards. Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. Retrieved April 19, 2005, from the World Wide Web: http://web.gvtechnologies.com/products/smart-boards.htm GLEF Staff. (2000). The Project’s Culmination. Edutopia. Retrieved April 19, 2005, from the World Wide Web: http://www.edutopia.org/php/article.php?id=Art_638 GLEF Staff. (2000). Student Researchers. Edutopia. Retrieved April 19, 2005, from the World Wide Web: http://www.edutopia.org/php/article.php?id=Art_632

Violence, Sensationalism, and the Supernatural in Shakespeares Macbeth :: Free Essay Writer

Violence, Sensationalism, and the Supernatural in Macbeth  Ã‚   Shakespeare had a thorough idea of what his audience wanted. In Macbeth he used violence, sensationalism, and elements of the supernatural to appeal to his audience. Shakespeare knew his audience when he used violence in Macbeth to heighten the effect of the play. One example of the violence is this scene. Lady Macbeth "That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold; What hath quenched them hath given me fire. Hark! Peace! It was the owl that shrieked, the fatal bellman, which gives the stern’st good-night. He is about it. The doors are open, and the surfeited grooms do mock their charge with snores. I have drugged their possets, that death and nature do contend about them, whether they live or die." Macbeth "Who’s there? What, ho?" Lady Macbeth "Alack, I am afraid they have awaked and ’tis not done! Th’ attempt and not the deed confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready; he could not miss ’em. Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t." Macbeth "I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?" Lady Macbeth "I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did not you speak?" Macbeth "When?" Lady Macbeth "Now." Macbeth "As I descended?" Lady Macbeth "Ay." Macbeth "Hark! Who lies i’ th’ second chamber?" Lady Macbeth "Donalbain." Macbeth "This is a sorry sight." Lady Macbeth "A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight." Macbeth "There’s one did laugh in sleep, and one cried "Murder!" That they did wake each other. I stood and heard them. But they did say their prayers, and addressed them again to sleep." Here is another example of the violence. Messenger "Bless you, fair dame! I am not to you known though in your state of honor I am not to you known, though in your state of honor I am perfect. I doubt some danger does approach you nearly: if you will take a homely man’s advice, be found here; hence, with your little ones. To fright you thus, methinks I am too savage; to do worse to you were fell cruelty which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve you! I dare abide no longer." Lady Macduff "Whither should I fly? I have done no harm. But I remember now I am in this earthly world, where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometime accounted dangerous folly. Violence, Sensationalism, and the Supernatural in Shakespeare's Macbeth :: Free Essay Writer Violence, Sensationalism, and the Supernatural in Macbeth  Ã‚   Shakespeare had a thorough idea of what his audience wanted. In Macbeth he used violence, sensationalism, and elements of the supernatural to appeal to his audience. Shakespeare knew his audience when he used violence in Macbeth to heighten the effect of the play. One example of the violence is this scene. Lady Macbeth "That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold; What hath quenched them hath given me fire. Hark! Peace! It was the owl that shrieked, the fatal bellman, which gives the stern’st good-night. He is about it. The doors are open, and the surfeited grooms do mock their charge with snores. I have drugged their possets, that death and nature do contend about them, whether they live or die." Macbeth "Who’s there? What, ho?" Lady Macbeth "Alack, I am afraid they have awaked and ’tis not done! Th’ attempt and not the deed confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready; he could not miss ’em. Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t." Macbeth "I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?" Lady Macbeth "I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did not you speak?" Macbeth "When?" Lady Macbeth "Now." Macbeth "As I descended?" Lady Macbeth "Ay." Macbeth "Hark! Who lies i’ th’ second chamber?" Lady Macbeth "Donalbain." Macbeth "This is a sorry sight." Lady Macbeth "A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight." Macbeth "There’s one did laugh in sleep, and one cried "Murder!" That they did wake each other. I stood and heard them. But they did say their prayers, and addressed them again to sleep." Here is another example of the violence. Messenger "Bless you, fair dame! I am not to you known though in your state of honor I am not to you known, though in your state of honor I am perfect. I doubt some danger does approach you nearly: if you will take a homely man’s advice, be found here; hence, with your little ones. To fright you thus, methinks I am too savage; to do worse to you were fell cruelty which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve you! I dare abide no longer." Lady Macduff "Whither should I fly? I have done no harm. But I remember now I am in this earthly world, where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometime accounted dangerous folly.

Separation of Legal Personality and Lifting the Corporate Veil

This report covers the separation of legal personality and the lifting of the corporate veil from the cases of Salomon v A Salomon co ltd (1897), Catherine lee v Lee’s Air farming ltd (1960). Salomon v Salomon was the first principle case of its kind and its principle was that a limited company is a separate legal entity, in catherine lee v lee this case was reaffirmed, and Gilford Motors v Horne was the first law case to ‘pierce the corporate veil.WHAT IS THE PRINCIPLE OF separate CORPORATE PERSONALITY?There are 3 types of ownership generally speaking in the law context. There are sole traders, partnerships and companies. Sole traders are the sole owners to a business entity in which there is no legal distinction between the business and the owner. The owner receives all profits and is responsible for its debts as well. A partnership is when 2 or more parties agree to advance their interests. There are 2 types of partnership, which are the general partners and limited p artners. General partners are liable for all debts and obligations whereas the limited partners contribute working capital and are not liable for the debts of the business entity. There are 2 types of companies:Private limited company (LTD) & Public limited company (PLC)Private limited companies is usually owned by fewer people and usually are smaller businesses who do not trade in the stock exchange, their business accounts don’t need to be audited and their statements are also private, whereas public limited companies need to public their financial statements and get audited. The advantage of this type of ownership over others is that there is a limited liability of the owners of business as the business is a separate legal personality. meaning of limited liability?Limited liability is referring to the legal protection to shareholders, whether it be private or public limited companies in which the financial liability of every shareholder of the business entities is limited to the value of their fully paid shares, in short shareholders will not lose more than they put in, into the business. This is because the business itself is a legal entity on its own. Creditors can only sue the company for its assets, any unpaid capital and guaranteed capital. The company must declare its limited liability in its name and must provide financial information for the public inspection. the concept of separate legal personality.The contractual capacity is that a company can enter into any contract under its name and is also liable for such contracts. The separate business entity also has some legal powers, for example to sue on its own behalf and even suing its own members. It is a separate property and does not belong to any of its members. The company will still continue as normal even in the event of death to any of the owners or any transfer of any stock. The shares of the business entity are completely transferable and approvals are not required unless stated or a greed. The first principle case to arise is Salomon v A Salomon,Mr. A Salomon was a sole trader and was doing well as a sole trader. Mr. Salomon’s sons became interested in joining the business, so he incorporated his business to a limited liability company. Mr. Salomon sold his business for  £39,000 of which  £10,000 was debt to him; He kept 20,001 of the 20,007 shares, so he was principle shareholder and principle creditor. The company then went into liquidation and the liquidator then accused Mr. A Salomon of fraud and stated that the debentures used as a  security of the debt is invalid.The judge Vaughn Williams accepted his argument saying that â€Å"Mr. Salomon had created the company solely to transfer his business to it, the company in reality was his agent and he as principle was liable to debts.† The House of Lords ruling was to hold firmly the doctrine of corporate personality as is mentioned in the companies’ act 1862, it is so that creditors o f a failing company cannot take the shareholders to courts over an outstanding debt because the company is a separate legal entity. Another case that reaffirmed Salomon v Salomon is Catherine Lee v Lee Farming co. Geoffrey Lee had a farming company and held 2999 shares of the 3000, he was the sole director and chief pilot and unfortunately died in a plane crash.Mrs. Lee tried to claim for damages of  £2340 under the Workers Compensation Act (1922) for the death of her husband. The Privy Council advised Mrs. Lee that she is entitled to compensation, since it is possible Mr. Lee can have a contract with the company he owned. The company is a separate legal entity.It is generally the rule regarding limited companies that the entity is a separate legal personality. There are exceptions to this rule when the courts will not treat it as a separate legal entity, this is known as ‘lifting the corporate veil’. The courts will ignore the separate personality when there is fraud , or by statute, or whether it’s an enemy during wartime, or if there is an agency involved with complications or when there is a ‘tort’. The case of Gilford Motors v Horne where Mr. Horne was a former managing director at the Gilford motors, his employment contract clause 9 said he cannot solicit customers of the company if he were to leave employment.Mr. Horne was later fired, after that he set up his own business and undercut Gilford Motors prices, later being told he was possibly in breach of contract; he decided to set up a company in which his wife and friend are directors and only shareholders. Mr. Horne later sent out fliers which read â€Å"Spares and service for all models of Gilford vehicles. 170 Hornsey Lane, Highgate, N. 6. Opposite Crouch End Lane†¦ No connection with any other firm†. This company had no contract with Gilford Motors about not competing but Gilford Motors did bring up actions that needed attention from the courts, Which w as that the company was being used as an instrument of  fraud.The Court of appeal did grant the injunction and Lord Hanworth mentioned â€Å"the purpose of it was to enable him, under the cloak or sham, to engage business on consideration of agreement, was one the former employees would object to†. Since the Adams v Cape indsutries case courts have changed their attitude and made the salomon principle a lot stronger. Courts will be more likely to lift the corporate veil when the court is having a look at a statute, or contracts. The court must be satisfied that the company is a faà §ade and which should show abuse of the corporate form. Another way the courts will decide to lift the veil is if it can be proven that the company is an authorized agent of its controllers or members.

Black History Month and Lesser Known African-Americans

Black History Month and Lesser Known African-Americans The term little known black Americans can refer to all the people who have made contributions to America and to civilization, but whose names are not as well-known as many others or not known at all. For instance, we hear about Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington Carver, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, and many other famous Black Americans, but what have you heard about Edward Bouchet, or Bessie Coleman, or Matthew Alexander Henson? Black Americans have been making contributions to America from the start, but like countless other Americans whose achievements have altered and enriched our lives, these Black Americans remain unknown. Its important, though, to point out their contributions because too often people dont realize that Black Americans have been making contributions to our country from its inception. In many cases, what they accomplished they managed to do against all odds, in spite of overwhelming obstacles. These people are an inspiration to everyone who finds him or herself in circumstances that seem impossible to overcome. Early Contributions In 1607, English settlers arrived in what would later become Virginia and founded a settlement they named Jamestown. In 1619, a Dutch ship arrived in Jamestown and traded its cargo of slaves for food. Many of these slaves later were freemen with their own land, contributing to the success of the colony. We do know some of their names, like Anthony Johnson, and its a pretty interesting story. But Africans were involved in more than settling Jamestown. Some were part of the early explorations of the New World. For example, Estevanico, a slave from Morocco, was part of a group who had been asked by the Mexican Viceroy in 1536 to go on an expedition into the territories that are now Arizona and New Mexico. He went ahead of the groups leader and was the first non-native to set foot in those lands. While most Blacks originally arrived in America primarily as slaves, many were free by the time the Revolutionary War was fought. One of these was Crispus Attucks, the son of a slave. Most of them, though, like so many who fought in that war, remain relatively nameless to us. But anyone who thinks that it was only the white man who chose to fight for the principle of individual freedom might want to take a look at the Forgotten Patriots Project from the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). They have documented the names of thousands of African-Americans, Native Americans, and those of mixed heritage who fought against the British for freedom. Not-So-Famous Black Americans You Should Know George Washington Carver (1864-1943)Carver is a well-known African-American. Who isnt aware of his work with peanuts? Hes on this list, though, because of one of his contributions that we dont often hear about: The Tuskegee Institute Movable School. Carver established this school to introduce modern agricultural techniques and tools to farmers in Alabama. Movable schools are now used around the world.Edward Bouchet (1852-1918)Bouchet was the son of a former slave who had moved to New Haven, Connecticut. Only three schools there accepted Black students at the time, so Bouchets educational opportunities were limited. However, he managed to get admitted to Yale and became the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. and the 6th American of any race to earn one in physics. Although segregation prevented him from attaining the kind of position he should have been able to get with his outstanding credentials (6th in his graduating class), he taught for 26 years at the Institute for Colored Y outh, serving as an inspiration to generations of young African-Americans. Jean Baptiste Point du Sable (1745?-1818)DuSable was a Black man from Haiti is who is credited with founding Chicago. His father was a Frenchman in Haiti and his mother was an African slave. Its not clear how he arrived in New Orleans from Haiti, but once he did, he traveled from there to what is now modern-day Peoria, Illinois. Although he was not the first to pass through the area, he was the first to establish a permanent settlement, where he lived for at least twenty years. He set up a trading post on the Chicago River, where it meets Lake Michigan, and became a wealthy man with a reputation as a man of good character and sound business acumen.Matthew Alexander Henson (1866-1955)Henson was the son of free-born tenant farmers, but his early life was difficult. He started his life as an explorer at the age of eleven when he ran away from an abusive home. In 1891, Henson went with Robert Peary on the first of several trips to Greenland. Peary was determined to find the geographic No rth Pole. In 1909, Peary and Henson went on what was to be their final trip, the one on which they reached the North Pole. Henson was actually the first to set foot on the North Pole, but when the two returned home, it was Peary who received all the credit. Because he was Black, Henson was virtually ignored. Bessie Coleman (1892 -1926)Bessie Coleman was one of 13 children born to a Native American father and an African-American mother. They lived in Texas and faced the kinds of difficulties many Black Americans faced at the time, including segregation and disenfranchisement. Bessie worked hard in her childhood, picking cotton and helping her mother with the laundry she took in. But Bessie didnt let any of it stop her. She educated herself and managed to graduate from high school. After seeing some newsreels on aviation, Bessie became interested in becoming a pilot, but no U.S flight schools would accept her because she was Black and because she was female. Undeterred, she saved enough money to go to France where she heard women could be pilots. In 1921, she became the first Black woman in the world to earn a pilots license.Lewis Latimer (1848-1928)Latimer was the son of runaway slaves who had settled in Chelsea, Massachusetts. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, Latimer got a job as an office boy in a patent office. Because of his ability to draw, he became a draftsman, eventually getting promoted to be the head draftsman. Although he has a large number of inventions to his name, including a safety elevator, perhaps his greatest achievement is his work on the electric light bulb. We can thank him for the success of Edisons lightbulb, which originally had a lifespan of just a few days. It was Latimer who found a way to create a filament system that prevented the carbon in the filament from breaking, thereby extending the life of the lightbulb. Thanks to Latimer, lightbulbs became cheaper and more efficient, which made it possible for them to be installed in homes and on the ​streets. Latimer was the only Black American on Edisons elite team of inventors. What we  love about the biographies of these six people is that not only did they have exceptional talent, but they did not allow the circumstances of their birth to determine who they were or what they could accomplish. That is certainly a lesson for all of us.

Lost Technology essays

Lost Technology essays The new age of discovery began during the 16th century with the renaissance and western exploration. Great advances in science and medicine were being made and the mechanized world came to life with the industrial revolution. Most of what we consider modern science and ideas has been developed since the 1500s, but the ancient Greeks were making similar discoveries two millennia before that. Due to constant invasions by outside forces and the suppression of Greek learning by the church, many of the teachings and innovations of the ancient Greeks were lost to the western world. The ancient Greeks made discoveries in the sciences such as medicine, astronomy, and technology that were far ahead of what most people associate with the ancient world. In medicine the Greeks studied the brain and human anatomy under the physician Herophilus. Herophilus discovered the human nervous system and was aware that the brain controlled these systems (McKay). The Greeks were also aware of the benefits of drugs to treat illness and used pain relievers such as opium. Despite the great work of some of the Greek physicians, there were still many people who claimed to be able to heal using magic and potions. These abuses caused many Romans to reject Greek medicine and as the Romans became more powerful these medical discoveries were forgotten by most of the western world. Astronomy was another area that the Greeks explored in depth. Without the use of telescopes, the Greek astronomer Aristarchus determined that the earth was not the center of the universe and developed the heliocentric theory that the earth and other planets revolve around the sun (McKay). Eratosthenes, a Greek scientist from the 3rd century BC, realized that the earth was actually round and was able to calculate its circumference accurately within 200 miles. Eratosthenes made the claim that a ship could sail around the globe to the east 1800 years before Colu ...