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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Hi Becky,

I don't know if this qualifies but consider J. B. Francis, (1815-1892) the engineer for the Proprietors of Locks and Canals in Lowell, MA for almost 50 years back in the mid 19th century.

Francis became concerned that the new network of canals that had been built in Lowell to provide water power for the mills could potentially be a "Trojan Horse" for the city during a flood. He proceeded to check all the records he could and also interviewed Native Americans about floods on the Merrimack River in pre-colonial times. He became convinced that there was a real danger and in the middle 1850s built a large guard lock gate that was suspended above the canals' entrance at a strategic place. His staff, directors and the city residents called it "Francis's Folly". However in about 1887 (my dates are a bit foggy here) the flood came, the gate was dropped and it saved the city! Francis died about five years later. The gate was not dropped again until 1936 when it once again saved the city. It's still there, still in service and still standing guard over the city.

While Francis wasn't a true "scientist' by today's standards he did understand the importance of research and analysis. His other major achievement was a design for the improved inward flow water turbine that bears his name. In connection with this latter invention he did systematic research into the efficiency of this and other turbines using company facilities for this work, surely one of the earliest corporate research facilities.

Contact the National Park Service for more information on this and other aspects of the Lowell canal system.

John Bowditch
Exhibits Director

> ----------
> From: 	Becky Matthews
> Reply To: 	Informal Science Education Network
> Sent: 	Wednesday, January 12, 2005 2:36 PM
> To: 	[log in to unmask]
> Subject: 	Scientists with inspirational stories
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> I am looking for scientists (current or past, but not your "standard" ones like Einstein, Edison, etc.) with inspirational stories to tie in with the following themes:  
>  
> Creativity and Invention
> Space Science
> Earth Science
> Health Science
> Sound and Light
> Energy (broader area)
>  
> Any suggestions will be appreciated.  Thanks!
>  
> Becky Fox Matthews
> Educator/Special Projects
> Adventure Science Center
> 800 Ft. Negley Blvd.
> Nashville, TN 37203
> 615-401-5073
>  <http://www.adventuresci.com> www.adventuresci.com
> 
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> More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
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> 

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More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
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message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
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