A to Z Historic Trivia - E

E

For most, the concept of extinction never comes to mind. For example, when Thomas Jefferson observed mastodon bones in Kentucky in 1780, he figured the behemoth animals had simply moved into America’s interior, and advised Lewis and Clark to be on the lookout. The discovery that dwarf elephants once existed had scientists contemplating evolutionary explanations, which led to a surprising discovery.  In addition to African and Asian elephants, the study suggested the existence of European elephants also roaming around, at least until they reached the island of Sicily, where evolutionary changes would naturally take place in less expansive settings such as islands, resulting in dwarf elephants.

 Among First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s numerous accomplishments was her appearance in a margarine commercial in 1959. Although she was criticized for the action, the spread quickly became an American favorite. She then spent her earnings on 6000 care packages for the United Nations to send to impoverished families around the world.

Famous in her own right, courageous aviator Amelia Earhart took her good friend Eleanor for a quick flight one evening in 1933, not long after FDR’s inauguration.

The idea of a moving staircase had already been patented and forgotten – twice – before Jesse Reno patented his concept in 1895 for a novelty ride at Coney Island, NY. By 1897, Charles Seeberger had redesigned the “inclined” elevator, calling it the “Escalator” from the Latin word for steps “Scala” and “elevator,” a name already in use for a different invention. Two years later, Seeberger partnered with Otis Elevator to produce the first commercial Escalator in Yonkers, NY. Having enjoyed a brief position as top Escalator designer, Jesse Reno sold his patent to Otis Elevator Co. Eight years later, Seeberger sold out to Otis as well. Despite dominating the industry, Otis lost the trademark in 1950 when the patent office ruled that “escalator” had become a collective term for moving stairways,  thereby losing the proprietary status of the word and its capital E.