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Into History.

com. It's the summer of 1841 in rural Pennsylvania.

It's the summer of 1841 in rural Pennsylvania.

John Robling, a German-American civil engineer, works feverishly at his desk.

Until recently, John was a farmer, but when he failed to achieve any success working in the field, he decided to fall back on his training as an engineer. Now, the lean balding 35-year-old is hoping to win a contract from the Pennsylvania Canal Commission to

improve their system for transporting boats across the Allegheny Mountains.

John has come up with a potentially game-changing innovation.

He noticed that hemp rope used to haul the boats is

unreliable, prone to fraying and snapping. So he devised a new stronger kind of rope

made of interwoven iron threads. John hopes that this innovative wire cable will become the new

industry standard and catapult him to fame and fortune. John puts down his

pencil, stands and walks across the room.

He pushes open the door and steps outside.

John has enlisted the help of half the town

in manufacturing his wire cable.

In his backyard is a hive of activity.

John watches with satisfaction as neighbors, friends, and relatives carefully

weave together at the metal strands.

He stroll across the yard to the coils of completed wire cables stacked by the barn.

...