Great American Hall of Wonders: Art, Science, and Invention in the Nineteenth Century

The Great American Hall of Wonders is a vividly illustrated survey of the American ingenuity that energised all aspects of 19th-century society, from the painting of landscapes and scenes of everyday life, to the planning of scientific expeditions and the development of new mechanical devices. It focuses on six iconic objects that inspired the American imagination: the buffalo, the giant sequoia, and Niagara Falls (symbolising vast natural bounty), and the gun, the railroad, and the clock (representing all things mechanical and the purposeful use of time). Each of these served as cultural lightning rods, sparking creativity across a wide swathe of American society. Visions of buffalo herds, railroad trestles, enormous trees, and Winchester rifles engaged not only artists, scientists, and inventors, but also poets, educators, farmers, chaplains, and members of Congress. This new book is a stunning tribute to the pioneering and inventing spirit that symbolizes America.