Pennsylvania in 1690: From William Penn to Workin' Men (and Women, Probably)
Ah, 1690. A time when smartphones were just a twinkle in Benjamin Franklin's eye (though rumor has it he already had a plan to use lightning to charge them... that man was a visionary). But what was Pennsylvania, this fledgling colony founded by the peace-lovin' William Penn, all about back then? Well, forget cheesesteaks and hoagies for a sec, because in 1690, Pennsylvania was all about two main industries:
1. Lumbering: Choppin' Down Trees Like a Colonial Paul Bunyan
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Pennsylvania was a land thick with forests, just begging to be chopped down and turned into... well, everything! From sturdy houses to furniture fit for a (not-so-fancy) king, lumber was the lifeblood of the colony. Imagine a bunch of colonists with impressive beards (because, let's face it, shaving wasn't exactly a priority back then) wielding axes and saws like lumberjack rockstars.
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- Sub-heading: Not all fun and games: Let's be honest, chopping down trees all day probably wasn't a walk in the park (especially without fancy chaps). But hey, at least they weren't stuck in an office cubicle!
2. Iron Works: From Rusty Nails to, Believe it or Not, Cooking Supplies!
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Pennsylvania had another trick up its sleeve: iron. This versatile metal was used for everything from nails and tools to pots and pans (though they probably weren't the sleek, non-stick kind we're used to today). Imagine blacksmiths with bulging biceps (because working with iron all day will do that to you) hammering away at red-hot metal, sparks flying everywhere. It sounds dangerous, sure, but at least they could have said, "I work in iron. I'm basically a superhero."
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- Sub-heading: Not exactly high fashion: Admit it, you wouldn't exactly want to wear an iron-collared shirt. But for building and crafting essential tools, iron was king (or maybe queen).
So there you have it! Pennsylvania in 1690 wasn't exactly Silicon Valley, but it was a place where people worked hard with their hands to build a new life.
What Two Major Industries Were Found In Pennsylvania In 1690 |
FAQs
- How to chop down a tree like a colonial lumberjack? Unless you have a serious axe-wielding competition coming up, probably best to leave this to the professionals (or at least someone with proper safety gear).
- How to become a blacksmith? These days, blacksmithing is more of a specialized skill. Look for classes or workshops offered by historical societies or art schools.
- How to build a house out of logs? Again, this is a job best left to experts. But hey, you can always admire the craftsmanship of those old-timey log cabins!
- How to make an iron pot? This is some seriously advanced metalworking. Unless you have a forge and a ton of experience, maybe stick to cast iron cookware from the store.
- How to travel back in time to 1690 Pennsylvania? Unfortunately, this technology hasn't been invented yet (although if it were, Benjamin Franklin would probably be all over it). But you can always learn more about colonial history and appreciate the ingenuity of those early settlers!