People

Reginald Fessenden, considered the “Father of Voice Radio”, was a Canadian-born inventor who performed pioneering radio experiments and applied them in ways that are still in use today. In pursuit of a successful system to transmit and receive the human voice using continuous radio waves, Fessenden experimented on Roanoke Island and the surrounding area for eighteen months from 1901-1902.

Born on May 2, 1844, Elijah was the son of George and Mildred, two formerly enslaved people who escaped slavery and fled to Colchester, Ontario, Canada. Since birth, Elijah had an affinity for things of a mechanical nature. In his lifetime, Elijah McCoy held over 57 patents including the “Improvement in Lubricators for Steam-Engines” patented in 1872.

Over the course of his lifetime, Carver rose from slavery to become a renowned educator and research scientist. For over 40 years, he worked endlessly to find practical alternatives to improve the agricultural practices and thus the economic status of African Americans. He is regarded as one of the most prominent black scientists of the early 20th century.

A self-educated economist and inventor, Edward Atkinson dedicated his life to various social and political movements, including abolitionism and anti-imperialism.

The Gateway Arch tram system is a one-of-a-kind invention that incorporates components of Ferris wheels and elevators in its design. There is nothing else quite like it anywhere in the world! It was invented in only two weeks by a fascinating young man named Dick (Richard) Bowser. A series of seemingly unrelated events all conspired to give Mr. Bowser the experience, skills, and abilities he needed to invent the ingenious tram ride.

Arriving in Skagway during the height of the Klondike Gold Rush, Martin Itjen tried his had at all sorts of businesses before he landed in tourism. As Skagway's original promoter, Martin Itjen drove a street car tour and operated a museum filled with strange taxidermy, gold rush artifacts, and early animatronic mannequins.

Alonzo Hall was assigned to the 44th Missile Maintenance Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base in September, 1975 and worked in missile field operations up through the deactivation in the early 1990s. His first duty was as part of the Site Security Maintenance which maintained security systems on the missile sites. As a maintenance technician, Mr. Hall helped ensure that radar antennas and motion sensors at the sites worked properly.

Orville Wright, along with his brother Wilbur, spent years in both Dayton, Ohio and the Outer Banks of North Carolina experimenting with their flying machines. Their determination paid off on December 17, 1903, when the brothers achieved the world's first powered flight at Kitty Hawk.

Wilbur Wright, along with his brother Orville, spent years in both Dayton, Ohio and the Outer Banks of North Carolina experimenting with their flying machines. Their determination paid off on December 17, 1903, when the brothers achieved the world's first powered flight at Kitty Hawk.

A highly accomplished inventor and mechanical engineer, John Ericsson's historic design for the U.S.S. Monitor was instrumental in ensuring Northern naval supremacy during the Civil War.