Those who cannot learn from Those who cannot learn from history history

are condemned to repeat it.are condemned to repeat it.

George Santayana, Spanish born American philosopher and “elegant” writer.

If If necessity is the mother of inventionnecessity is the mother of invention, what , what will we learn from our current crises and find will we learn from our current crises and find

solutions for…?solutions for…?

The economic crisis.The economic crisis. The healthcare crisis.The healthcare crisis. The global warming crisis.The global warming crisis. The nuclear proliferation crisis.The nuclear proliferation crisis. World hunger.World hunger. Childhood obesity.Childhood obesity. Hate crimes.Hate crimes.

Boom and Bust CycleBoom and Bust CycleWhat goes up must come down?What goes up must come down?

Tulip mania Holland 1630Tulip mania Holland 1630 Clinton’s Big Ditch 1815-1850Clinton’s Big Ditch 1815-1850 The California Gold Rush 1848-1855The California Gold Rush 1848-1855 The Stock Market Crash 1920The Stock Market Crash 1920 Dot-com bubble 1995-2001Dot-com bubble 1995-2001 Sub-prime crisis 2007Sub-prime crisis 2007 ““out of the mouths of babes” out of the mouths of babes”

Listen to what kids say.Listen to what kids say.

“Clinton’s Big Ditch”

Four innovative amateurs were given a task.

Build a canal across New York State, from Manhattan to Buffalo.

363 miles

Marriage of the waters ceremony.

What changes did it bring?•Lumber, grain, and flour flowed down the Hudson

•Imported goods swept west

Bust or Boom?

•Disease

•Travelers’ lifestyle

•Religious resistance

•Migrants

Music InnovationMusic Innovation

What is original American music; Jazz, What is original American music; Jazz, Blues, Negro Spirituals, Children’s Ballads?Blues, Negro Spirituals, Children’s Ballads?

Ever hear of Ever hear of Canal Music? Canal Music?

Once the “Big Dig” was finished there were layoffs between loading and unloading cargo. Canallers, as they were called, had a lot of leisure time. What better to fill that time than, MUSIC?

•Reduced boredom

•Provided them with entertainment

•Became a method of storytelling

•Created a window into canal society

Innovator, Innovator, Bruce Springstein Bruce Springstein “The Boss” “The Boss” Rock musician known Rock musician known

for his poetic lyrics, for his poetic lyrics, and connection to and connection to AmericanaAmericana

Born in the USABorn in the USA Born to RunBorn to Run Seeger SessionsSeeger Sessions

What innovations were used during the What innovations were used during the Great Depression?Great Depression?

By 1933 By 1933 millionsmillions of Americans were out of work. of Americans were out of work. Bread Bread lineslines were a common sight in most cities. Hundreds of were a common sight in most cities. Hundreds of

thousands roamed the country in search of food, work and thousands roamed the country in search of food, work and shelter.shelter.

Civilian Conservation Corps: Civilian Conservation Corps: listen to this story about the CCC in Connecticut.listen to this story about the CCC in Connecticut.

Other Other “shovel ready”“shovel ready” innovations innovations

Civil Works Administration:Civil Works Administration: Agricultural Adjustment Act: Agricultural Adjustment Act: relief for farmersrelief for farmers

Works Progress Administration: Works Progress Administration: Buildings, roads, Buildings, roads, airports and schools were constructed. Actors, painters, musicians and airports and schools were constructed. Actors, painters, musicians and

writers were put to work.writers were put to work. Click to see more images.Click to see more images.

Photo GalleryPhoto GalleryPictures worth a thousand words! Innovator, Dorothea Lange showed Pictures worth a thousand words! Innovator, Dorothea Lange showed us what was happening with her famous heart-breaking photographs. us what was happening with her famous heart-breaking photographs.

http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/depression/artgallery.htmhttp://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/depression/artgallery.htm

Quest’s “Big Dig”Quest’s “Big Dig”2009-200102009-20010

InnovationInnovation of particular importance to of particular importance to YOUYOU

ImpactImpact clearly defined clearly defined Significant Significant changechange happened because of happened because of

it.it.