Short Stories
of Science and Invention

A Collection of Radio Talks by
Charles F. Kettering

INDEX

44.   Twice a Patriot


Ship     This foundry, being in the North End of Boston, naturally brought Revere into close contact with the shipyards. Right after the Revolution, the ship-builders had a hard time getting sheet copper from England for the bottoms of their ships. This shortage was a great handicap to the young industry. One American tried to get around this by just leaving off the copper but after the ship had been at sea for a short time it became so covered with barnacles that even with a strong wind it would travel only about two miles an hour. Copper sheathing seemed to be as important to ships as sails.

     Although he was well over sixty, Paul Revere thought he could find a way to roll copper sheets and meet this urgent demand. And so he started his research work on a project that had far greater results than his midnight ride. In 1801, he wrote in a letter to a Member of Congress, which said in effect:

     "It is the universal belief that no one in this country could make Copper so malleable as to hammer it hot... I determined, if possible, to find the secret and have pleasure to say that, after a great many trials and much expense, I have learned it."

     In that year, at the age of 67, he built the first copper rolling mill in this country at Canton, Massachusetts. And the interesting thing is that 143 years later this company is still rolling copper sheets together with aluminum and magnesium and a direct descendant of Paul Revere is still in the business!



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