Robert Pohl worked for many years as a computer programmer but recovered from that and became a full time stay-at-home dad. With his son now in school, he has expanded his horizons and become a self-taught historian. He has written books about his house as well as Emancipation in the District of Columbia. You can reach Robert at Robert[at]thehillishome.com
In early 1843, Samuel Morse had been given $30,000 to put his experiments in long-distance communication into practical use. His idea was to connect two cities in the United States with his wires, and allow messages to travel back and forth instantaneously. And what better pair than Washington D.C. and Baltimore? Separated by only some […]
When we last looked at Samuel Morse and his telegraph, he had failed to procure support from Congress and had decamped to Europe to sell his invention there. This failed, as well, and so he returned to the US. In the middle of 1842, the newspapers reported that he was back to demonstrating his invention, […]
I have frequently looked at technology and invention, and how it was done or helped on the Hill. Recently, I realized that I had failed to mention one of the most famous moments in the history of invention: when Samuel Morse first sent a telegram from Capitol Hill to Baltimore. What I discovered in looking […]