The Boatman

The Boatman’s Dilemma

The time is set in the 1830s where a young man by the name of Abraham Lincoln, or Abe as he was called, was working as a boatman on the Mississippi River. Back then, the mighty Mississippi River resembled the traffic found in LA or New York today, but instead of cars and trucks, it was boats. Lots of boats. Boatmen, the people navigating and captaining these floating trucks, faced the peril of sandbars and low water levels. Many steamboats found themselves high and dry, stuck faster than politicians to their campaign promises.

Young Abe had a penchant for machinery and mechanical appliances. Being the problem-solver he was, he couldn’t sit back while these boats became expensive riverside ornaments.  Instead, he put his thinking cap on and began to brainstorm ideas that might solve the problem.

Abe’s Eureka Moment

In 1849, Lincoln, now a lawyer and politician, came up with an idea so brilliant it could have lit up the night sky (if Edison hadn’t beaten him to it). His invention? Steamboat life jackets.

His patent #6,649 was granted on May 22, 1849, and described a system of “buoyant air chambers” that could be lowered into the water and inflated to lift a boat over shoals and other obstructions. It was basically the 1900s version of inflatable water wings for kids but for massive steamboats.

While Lincoln’s invention never became widely used, it kickstarted the problem-solving journey that eventually led to the invention of the steam-powered sternwheel towboat and improved riverboat safety systems. This invention significantly improved river travel on the Mississippi River in the late 1800s.

From Courtroom to Patent Office

But why was a lawyer and future president tinkering with boat stuff? Well, Lincoln was a man of many talents and energy. He once said, “I am always for the man who wishes to work.” And boy, did he practice what he preached! Lincoln’s experience as a boatman, combined with his analytical mind led him to this innovation. This is a perfect example of how the best ideas sometimes come from hands-on tinkering and experience.

The Patent’s Legacy

While Lincoln’s invention never became widespread, it stands as a testament to his innovative spirit and problem-solving skills. It’s also the only patent ever held by a U.S. President, making it a unique piece of American history. But more than just a historical curiosity, Lincoln’s patent reminds us to continue to protect people and property, just as he worked to protect boats and boatmen.

Safety, Then and Now

In modern workplaces, safety is still paramount. Whether you’re working on a construction site or a food service establishment employers constantly seek new ways to protect their workers. If you think about it, many of us are like young Abe, looking at the problems around us and thinking, “How can we make this safer?”

CrewSafe continues a tradition of innovation in safety with a range of safety and employee awareness products. Our goal is to keep your workforce safe and your business running efficiently. When implementing a new safety program, consider that you’re participating in a long-standing tradition of safety innovation. Whether managing a steamboat or ensuring workplace safety, prioritizing safety is crucial.