Where was Jan Ernst Matzeliger born and raised?
Jan Ernst Matzeliger was born on September 15, 1852 in Suriname ( South America ), the child of a biracial marriage. His father was a white engineer from Holland and his mother was a black woman in the Dutch colony. By his third birthday Matzeliger was sent to live with his father’s sister.
How did Jan Ernst Matzeliger die from tuberculosis?
Matzeliger sacrificed his health working exhausting hours on his invention and not eating over long periods of time. He caught a cold which quickly developed into tuberculosis. His early death in Lynn, Massachusetts from this disease meant he never saw the full profit of his invention.
Why was Jan Matzeliger’s invention so important?
Matzeliger’s invention was perhaps „the most important invention for New England.“ His invention was „the greatest forward step in the shoe industry,“ according to the church bulletin of The First Church of Christ (the same church that took him as a member) as part of a commemoration held in 1967 in his honor.
How old was Jan Matzeliger when he left Suriname?
Matzeliger’s father was a Dutch engineer, and his mother was Surinamese. Showing mechanical aptitude at a young age, Matzeliger began working in machine shops supervised by his father at the age of 10. At 19, he left Suriname to see the world as a sailor on an East Indian merchant ship.
What was Jan Ernst Matzeliger’s most important invention?
Jan Ernst Matzeliger’s invention was perhaps „the most important invention for New England.“. His invention was „the greatest forward step in the shoe industry,“ according to the church bulletin of The First Church of Christ (the same church that took him as a member) as part of a commemoration held in 1967 in his honor.
When did the Jan Ernst Matzeliger stamp come out?
A 29-cent US postal stamp was issued on September 15, 1991, in honor of Matzeliger. Designed by Barbara Higgins Bond, the stamp depicts Matzeliger and is a part of the Black Heritage Stamp Series.