Ahh yes, if life were fair, it would be the American Vail Code. Unlike
Sam, Alfred had access to the family machine shop, was an accomplished
machinist, and could build just about anything. He even crafted his
code so the most prevalent letters in English have the shortest codes.
In the mid 19th century, a wagon train was formed [in St Joseph MO, I
think] for the trip to California led by a fellow named Donner. It was
a hugely dysfunctional group from the start, a homicide before they left
and several more on the way. Unlike the others, they managed to tee off
the Paiute Chief near Pyramid Lake in NV, split up amid huge arguments,
and, without guides [pissed off Chief, remember] were wiped out in the
winter snows crossing the Sierra Nevada.
Conversely, the Stephens group, formed up, made good time, followed the
advice of the Paiute guides provided by the Chief, and arrived in
Sacramento with more people than when they left [several babies born on
the way]. They spread out over northern and central California, were
instrumental in founding several towns which became cities today, were
active in government, and began some of the agricultural industry that
marks the Central Valley today. Legend has it that Stevens Creek in San
Jose is named for their leader, misspelling his name in the process,
although that may be urban legend too.
So what is the pass over the Sierra Nevada [originally the Lincoln Hwy,
then US40, and now I-80] named for? If life were fair, it would be
Stephens Pass with Stephens Lake at it's eastern base, after a truly
successful example of the western migration. But life is rarely fair
and it's Donner Pass and Donner Lake, named after the dysfunctional
party racked by homicides, dumb decisions and, it is alleged,
cannibalism, in a futile attempt to survive the winter. Alfred Vail is
not alone.
73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County
On 4/27/2018 4:55 AM, Chris R. NW6V wrote:
Good Idea Wayne!
And I'll remind the assembled masses that the unsung hero in the story of
Morse code was a fellow named Alfred Vail - who played Wozniak to Morse's
"Steve Jobs." Vail pretty much invented the dash-dot code as we know it, as
well as the hand key. But it's Morse's name, as owner of the company that
paid for it, on the patents. Sic transit Gloria.
Searching archives, I found a note where Morse urged Vail to increase the
spacing between the characters he was sending because they were running
together. Imagine that! Morse was the first guy ever to complain about
somebody's fist!
73 Chris NW6V
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