Taft = tech

Noticing yet again that Pres Taft loved and understood technology. He also loved Ohio, which at that time was a major center of new tech. Ohio had more auto companies than Michigan, and Ohio birthed the aircraft industry.

Here he’s congratulating the winners of a gas mileage competition:

And here he’s sending off a Chalmers on an endurance run:

He was present when the Wright Brothers passed a military ‘proof of concept’ test:

= = = = = START QUOTE:

Besides establishing the new record, Orville more than met the government’s requirement that he remain in the air with a passenger for one hour. Another performance demanded by the government before it takes possession of the machine, is a ten-mile cross-country flight at a minimum speed of forty miles an hour, with two men aboard. President Taft was a very enthusiastic onlooker, and when Wright and Lahm brought the aeroplane to earth after their thrilling ride, the President congratulated them very feelingly. Included among the other notables who viewed the performance were Secretary of War Dickinson, Postmaster General Hitchcock, Secretary of Commerce and Labor Nagel, as well as a large number of prominent aeronauts.

= = = = = END QUOTE

Later he gave a speech on aviation, where he used his Ohio-shaped body as a metaphor:

= = = = = START QUOTE:

There may be some reasons why some Presidents have not figured in aeronautics. I see that these gentlemen who have flown in the air are constructed more on the plan of the birds than some of us.

I don’t like to think and I decline to think that these instrumentalities that you have invented for human use, are to be confined in their utility to war. I presume that they will have great value in war and I suppose that all of us representatives of the various governments ought to look at this matter, following the rules of governments of today, from the standpoint of their utility in war; but I sincerely hope that these machines will be increased in usefulness to such a point that we may count on their Ability to carry more than ‘thin’ passengers in time of peace.

= = = = = END QUOTE.

Reading the trade journals from the next decade, I nonbarked that Wilson was completely absent. No celebrations, no congratulations, no guidance. Not interested in tech or industry.

The R correlation continued with Ohioan Harding and engineer Hoover. FDR rebuilt our industries and farms but didn’t seem to have a personal interest in tech. Ike definitely understood tech as shown in his farewell speech, but didn’t do much to help while he was in office. The distinction ended when radio ham Goldwater and auto magnate Romney were sabotaged by NYC lawyer Nixon, who proceeded to hand all of our industries to China.

The last president with a connection to the physical world was engineer Carter. Since then it’s all lawyers and actors and spies. Social engineers.

= = = = =

Looking up Taft’s biography, his connection with the physical world wasn’t predicted by his family or early life. His parents were rich and powerful Progressive Unitarians, and he immediately went into law practice and politics, rising quickly with the help of parental connections and an ambitious wife whose sole purpose in life was to become First Lady. No business or industrial experience at all.

= = = = =

Later addition: Truman wasn’t into tech but he was definitely a Car Guy. He owned a Stafford, made in KC, when he was young, and enjoyed driving. After retirement he always owned and drove a Chrysler. Other ex-presidents were content to let the Secret Service do the driving.