A Revolutionary Problem:Making Saltpeter During the War of Indpendence

Our Mission: To educate people about America's industrial history and to encourage and inspire future innovation.We do this by creating engaging experiences that highlight the many fascinating technical and business innovations that have taken place in this region and continue to change the world.

Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation

Join the Charles River Musuem for an exploration of how the production of saltpeter changed the course of history.

Mill Talks

Our  Mill Talks series features FREE lectures and panel discussions on topics related to the Industrial Revolution, innovation across disciplines, and the mission of the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation. Sponsored by the Lowell Institute.

<h3>Mill Talk: A Revolutionary Problem: Making Saltpeter During the War of Independence</h3><p><br></p><h4>presented by David Hsiung</h4><h4><br></h4><p>250 years ago, the revolution that would lead to our country’s independence was in its early stages. The Continental Army was facing a major problem, gunpowder shortages. Join the Charles River Musuem for an exploration of how the production of saltpeter, the principal ingredient of this explosive material, changed the course of history.</p><p>This talk will explore the different ways saltpeter was manufactured by Americans, the wide variety of instructions that guided their efforts, and the motivations-both lofty and materialist-that drove them forward.</p><p>A native of the Chicago area, David C. Hsuing earned his B.A. from Yale, his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, and ever since has taught history at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, He has won multiple awards for his teaching and scholarship, including an award from the Forest History Society for his article, “Food, Fuel, and the New England Environment in the War for Independence, 1775-1776" in The New England Quarterly. He is currently writing a book on the environmental history of the War of Independence.</p>

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A Revolutionary Problem:Making Saltpeter During the War of Indpendence

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A Revolutionary Problem:Making Saltpeter During the War of Indpendence

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