Inventors

1991 29¢ Jan E. Matzeliger
September 15, 1852

Birth of Jan Matzeliger

Inventor Jan Matzeliger was born on September 15, 1852, in Paramaribo, Dutch Guyana (present-day Surinam).  He invented a device that is considered “the most important invention for New England” and the “greatest step forward in the shoe industry.” 

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1940 Famous Americans: 5¢ Elias Howe
September 10, 1846

Elias Howe Patents First Lockstitch Sewing Machine 

After eight years of tinkering, Elias Howe was awarded the first US patent for a practical lockstitch sewing machine on September 10, 1846.

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1983 20¢ American Inventors: Philo T Farnsworth, First TV Camera
September 7, 1927

Farnsworth’s First TV Demonstration

On September 7, 1927, inventor Philo T. Farnsworth made his first successful presentation of the “image dissector,” a crucial part of the first televisions.

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1995 20¢ Transportation Series: Cog Railway, 1870s
August 29, 1869

Marsh’s “Railway to the Moon” 

On August 29, 1869, Sylvester Marsh demonstrated the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway, earning the recognition and funds needed to complete it.

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1959 4¢ Petroleum Industry Centennial
August 27, 1859

First Major Commercial Oil Well in the U.S. 

On August 27, 1859, Edwin Drake struck oil near Titusville, Pennsylvania, establishing America’s first commercially viable oil well.

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1949 6¢ Wilbur and Orville Wright
August 19, 1871

Happy Birthday Orville Wright

Aviator and inventor Orville Wright was born on August 19, 1871, in Dayton, Ohio. He and his brother would go on to become aviation pioneers.

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1968 12¢ Henry Ford
July 30, 1863

Birth of Henry Ford

Industrialist and auto manufacturer Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863, in Greenfield Township, Michigan.  He was a pioneer in the automotive industry, starting a company that’s still in business today.

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2006 39¢ DC Comics Super Heroes: Superman
July 19, 1883

Happy Birthday Max Fleischer

Animator, inventor, and film director Max Fleischer was born in Kraków, Poland, on July 19, 1883. Fleischer patented several animation innovations and was behind popular cartoons such as Betty Boop, Popeye, and Superman, earning the nickname “The Dean of Animated Cartoons.”

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1954 3¢ George Eastman
July 12, 1854

Birth of George Eastman

Entrepreneur George Eastman was born on July 12, 1854, in Waterville, New York. Eastman invented the first successful film roll, making photography accessible for everyone and contributing to the development of motion pictures.

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