The Mysteries of History (January 4 Edition)
Colts, Volts (Actually EV1), and Deseret
1847 — Colt Sells Guns to the Government
Samuel Colt’s gun business was floundering until 1847, when it secured a contract to provide the U.S. Government with 1,000 of its Colt .44 revolvers. Prior to Colt’s mass production of revolvers, the weapon of choice among Americans, especially those in the West, was the Bowie knife.
Questions: Why did Colt revolvers become popular? How long did Samuel Colt live? Does the Colt company still exist and, if so, are Colt’s descendants still involved in it? When was the Bowie knife invented? Who invented the Bowie knife, and during which historical event did he die? 1896 — Utah Becomes a State
Utah, which had been a Territory for forty-six years, became the 45th State in 1896. Joseph Smith’s band of Mormons settled in the area in 1847, the same year Colt got the government gun contract written of above.
Questions: Who was Wilford Woodruff, and what did he do which may have paved the way for Utah to become a State? Where was the founder of Mormonism born, and in what other States had he tried to establish his followers before finally settling in and on Utah? Prior to Utah becoming a U.S. Territory in 1850, who controlled the region now known as Utah?1996 — GM Manufacturers an Electric Car
In 1996, nearly thirty years ago, General Motors debuted its Electric Car, the EV1.
Questions: Was the EV1 the first electric car? If not, elaborate. In which two States were consumers able to lease EV1s? How long did GM manufacture the EV1, and why did they halt production of it? What happened to GM in 2008, and what regret did the outgoing CEO have?
