Virgie Ammons Patents a Fireplace Damper Actuating Tool

Virgie Ammons Patents a Fireplace Damper Actuating Tool Virgie Ammons was an inventor and woman of color who invented a device for dampening fireplaces. She received a patent for a fireplace damper actuating tool on September 30, 1975. Little is known about the life of Virgie Ammons. One source says she was born on Dec. 29, 1908 in Gaithersburg, Maryland and died on July 12, 2000. She lived in West Virginia for most of her life.  Ammons filed her patent on August 6, 1974, at which time she was living in Eglon, West Virginia. There is no information to be found about her education, training or profession. One unverified source says she was a self-employed caretaker and a practicing Muslim who attended services in Temple Hills. Fireplace Damper Actuating Tool - Patent US 3,908,633 A fireplace damper actuating tool is a tool that is used to open and close the damper on a fireplace. It keeps the damper from opening or fluttering in the wind.   If you have a fireplace or stove, you may be familiar with the sound of a fluttering damper. A damper is an adjustable plate that fits in the flue of a stove or the chimney of a fireplace. It helps control the draft into the stove or fireplace. Dampers could be a plate that slides across the air opening, or it could be fixed in place in the pipe or flue and turned so the angle allows more or less air flow. In the days when cooking was done on a stove that was powered by burning wood or coal, adjusting the flue was a way of controlling the temperature. Virgie Ammons may be have been familiar with these stoves, given her date of birth. She may also have lived in an area where electric or gas stoves were not common until later in her life. We have no details as to what her inspiration was for the fireplace damper actuating tool. With a fireplace, opening the damper allows more air to be drawn into the fireplace from the room and convey the heat up the chimney. More air flow can often result in more flames, but also in losing more heat rather than warming the room. Keeping the Damper Closed The patent abstract  says Ammons damper actuating tool addressed the problem of fireplace dampers that flutter and make noise when gusty winds affected the chimney Some dampers do not remain fully shut because they have to be light enough in weight so the operating lever can open them easily. This makes small differences in air pressure between the room and the upper chimney draw them open. She was concerned that even a slightly open damper could cause a significant loss of heat in winter, and could even result in loss of coolness in summer. Both would be a waste of energy. Her actuating tool allowed the damper to be closed and held closed. She noted that when not in use, the tool could be stored next to the fireplace. No information was found as to whether her tool was manufactured and marketed.

The 49ers and the california ethos Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The 49ers and the california ethos - Essay Example On many occasions, the gold mines and the mining camps took toll on people as it presented the issue of time and circumstances of returning to families and communities to be a different perspective away from the original quest for fortune. It brought forth a different view in terms of an individual, family and community at home as compared to the 49ers of the gold camps. To the married people, family, friends and community formed the basis that it difficult for them to go back home. To others, there were issues that included a commitment, responsibility, the chain of burdens and many other issues related to family. In the course of staying in California, some 49ers managed to keep the promise of returning after some period or sought for an extension of the original time specific. Despite these, majority of members deemed such agreements as being passed to the reality of California and the gold fields. The pleasantries of California and the hope to find something to return home on most occasions made it difficult for the 49ers to go home to their families. Many of the 49ers who thought that they would go to California and be back within a year found it had to keep that promise. This was influenced by the consideration of how one would return home. It was discouraging for 49ers to learn that they could only go back home little than they had come with or sometimes with nothing at all. The quest to find something much better to go home with made them stay even longer in California (Malcolm, 1997). With increased publications of free gold, people around the world continued flocking California, demand for almost everything kept increasing, and the prices for most commodities kept on skyrocketing. This made life more difficult rendering the 49ers with the inability to save for their return. As such it became a difficult question

In life people face many challenges which lead to growth. Analyze how Essay

In life people face many challenges which lead to growth. Analyze how challenges help people grow in many ways - Essay Example Maya Angelou’s autobiographical work ‘Graduation’ explores the author’s personal struggles and the obstacles she faced particularly in relation to racial prejudices while attending her graduation ceremony from a segregated middle school in Arkansas. The author discusses the range of emotions she felt before, during and after the event. Initially, her primary feelings were those of excitement and pride at her educational achievements and accomplishments. She then went through a period of disappointment and anger while eventually letting go of the animosity she felt for others. The author’s anticipation and enthusiasm at her impending graduation was well-deserved. She had received good grades and her family, particularly her mother, was extremely proud of her. Their preparations were detailed and filled with joy as she was given gifts, money, words of wisdom and praise. However, as the author sat at the ceremony and listened to the speeches, it became clear to her that the achievements of her black classmates were not regarded in the same way as those of her white contemporaries. The authors feelings changed immediately as she was overcome with disappointment, anger and resentment as this served to remind her of the stereotypical ‘place’ of black people as the time in terms of taking on quite menial positions such as cleaning and labour. Aspirations of further educational achievements and more respectable positions were dashed from her mind in these moments as she pondered â€Å"It was awful to be a negro and have no control over my li fe† (Angelou 37). In Andre Barrett’s ‘A Hole in the Wall’, the author similarly reflects upon a time in which she experienced a traumatic and emotionally distressing event, in this case, the 2001 World Trade Centre attacks. She recounts how very shortly after she and her husband moved to the city, she witnessed the fateful

Crime and Punishment and ways to make our prison system better Research Paper - 1

Crime and Punishment and ways to make our prison system better - Research Paper Example scourages the use of â€Å"probation and parole† as a result of which the offenders are being punished with longer prison terms with rare chances of â€Å"being released on parole† (9). Thus, in the present day, incarceration rates have been skyrocketing as a consequence of which there has been prison overcrowding across the US. Evidence further suggests that in 2008 alone, corrections have cost the exchequer a spending of â€Å"nearly $75 billion† across federal, state and local government facilities (10). Thus, it becomes evident that the heavy rate of incarcerations remains a hefty onus on the country’s financial resources. This high rate of incarceration can be perceived as a consequence of lack of education and the prevalence of poverty, which is considerably high in African American ethnic group, and the resultant emergence of a new racism. The Policy Information Report by the Educational Testing Service finds that the rate of incarceration of black youths, especially those who dropped out from school, has increased to such an extent as to â€Å"jeopardize the achievement of broader social justice goals† (Coley and Barton 3). This indicates that there is a gap in the educational opportunities of the Black youth as compared to the White people, which entails a greater number of incarcerations of the youngsters from black ethnical background. Research evidence further suggests that â€Å"illiteracy† and the lack of numerical skills are quite high in prisoners and a â€Å"half of all prisoners† does not possess any education at all (Crowded Out? The Impact of Prison Overcrowding on Rehabilitation 10). In the modern day, the job market has become highly competitive and business organizations have a wide variety of choices of workforce. Thus, people who do not possess adequate educational qualification and professional skills remain unemployed. This situation compels them to look for alternative sources of income and they embark on criminal activities for earning

Case Study Analysis of an employee Essay Example for Free

Case Study Analysis of an employee Essay This case study for student analysis will look at an employee of ABC, Inc., Carl Robins, the new recruiter of only six months and his struggle to hold orientation for fifteen new hires. There are various factors that play a part of why Carl struggles to meet the promised deadline that is fast approaching. This analysis will focus on time management, job performance, and company organizational issues that are key problems with how Carl is performing his job, but will also look at how ABC, Inc. management team play is playing a part in Carl’s struggle to meet his deadline. This analysis will show alternative solutions, a proposed solution, and a recommendation that will prevent future struggles for Carl and all other employees at ABC, Incorporated. Carl Robins is the new recruiter for ABC, Inc. Carl has been in his new position for six months now. In the six month timeframe, Carl has successfully hired fifteen new trainees. Now that the trainees are hired, Carl’s next objective is to hold an orientation on June 15th at one time for all fifteen new hires. The orientation date is to ensure Carl will have all the new hires ready to start working by July for the Operations Manager, Monica Carrolls. On May 15th Carl is contacted by Monica Carrolls to discuss with Carl everything needed for the new hires to begin orientation; the training schedule, manuals, policy booklets, physicals, drug test, and other things. Two weeks later, Carl decides to go over the trainee files and realizes some trainees’ paperwork are incomplete and missing. All of the new hires still need to take a mandatory drug screen test. During this time, Carl becomes aware that he does not have enough copies of the orientation manuals and on top of that, there is not one complete orientation manual to make copies. Lastly, Carl checks out the training room he book earlier in the month and finds Joe, from technology services, is setting up computer terminals for training seminars for the entire month of June. Carl will need to find a new place to hold orientation. Ca rl is panicking and does not know how to proceed at this point. (University of Phoenix, 2014) There are numerous key problems to focus on with Carl as well as with ABC, Inc. Starting with Carl, some of  the key problems Carl is having includes his apparent lack of time management. Carl is also having organizational and communication issues. Carl insufficient knowledge of how to apply these skills are playing a huge factor in Carl’s struggle to be prepared and ready for orientations on June 15th. Carl also appears to have insufficient knowledge about his position and what his responsibilities requires of him daily to meet his scheduled orientation and promised deadline to have all the new hires working by July. Looking at Carl’s timeline, he hires the new trainees in the beginning of April. Carl knows he has a little over two months before orientation is scheduled will be held for the new hires. On May 15th Carl receives a call from Monica, the Operations Manager, to go over the needs for orientation to be successful. It appears that Carl does nothing for over a month in regards to checking on the status of each new hire. What is Carl doing in this timeframe needs to be investigated. Carl waits until two weeks before the scheduled orientation to finally check on the trainees’ files. It seems there is no communication between Carl and Human Resources at all. Carl should be in contact with Human Recourses about the status of each new hires paperwork and on a consistent basis. It would appear that Carl is not doing his job efficiently. ABC, Inc. has some underlying key problems that have contribute a great deal to Carl’s struggle to meet the scheduled orientation date. ABC, Inc. has failed to support Carl in his new position. There is a lack of supervision to help guide Carl. ABC, Inc. also shows there is an apparent breakdown in communication between its employees. Human Resources must not now about the orientation date for the new hires and therefore seems to be taking their time in getting all the paperwork in for each new hire. Another communication breakdown is the situation about Joe and Carl both being able to book the training room to use on June 15th. There are many alternative solutions for Carl to successfully meet his orientation deadline of June 15th and have the new trainees ready to start work for the Operations Manager by July. Carl should contact Monica Carrolls, the Operations Manager, and find out if there is anyone in the company who would be able to help assist him with getting everything in order for orientation. If there is no one in the company available to help Carl at this time, then Carl needs to find out if he has the authority to hire an outside source, if he does not, then wh o does? Time is of the  essence to have everything competed for orientation. This person will help assist Carl in completing the following tasks; contacting each new hire to schedule a drug test, make sure all necessary documents are completed, turned in, find someone in the company who has a complete orientation manual, make copies, and find a new place to have orientation. Carl is new and this his 1st recruitment orientation, he should be held responsible to check in with the Operations Manager or whoever is Carl’s Manager and give them a daily report of what he has accomplished each day and what is left to still be accomplished to meet the orientation date. All of these solutions are a Band-Aid and will aid in Carl successfully holding orientation. However, they are not solutions for the root of the problems facing ABC, Inc. Even though the struggle focuses on Carl Robins and his inability to do his job correctly, the proposed solution is directed towards ABC, Incorporated Management Team. The Management Team should be held responsible. Carl Robins is new to the company. It is apparent that Carl’s lack of experience and work history is not matched up properly for the position of recruiter. Carl clearly does not understand what it takes for him to hold successfully orientation on June 15th. Carl is going blindly about his job responsibilities without a clear understanding of time restraints for each task he needs to perform. There should be supervision over Carl on a daily basis due to this being his 1st recruitment orientation assignment. ABC, Inc. Management Team should put into place a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for each position in the company. Clearly outlining each position and it responsibilities as well as including a flow chart showing who each position reports to. At this time, it is recommended that ABC, Inc. have each and every employee attend a several work seminars. It would be best for the company to start with a seminar that will focus on learning how to communicate well with each other inside the company, how to speak up about company problems and ask for help, and learn how to work together as a team unit. A time management seminar is highly suggested and would be of great help to the company as well. Each employee should learn time management skills, how to manage their time, their workflow, and how to prioritize their job responsibilities. Another recommendation, department mangers take a seminar about being team leaders. They need to understand what exactly their employees are doing in their daily routines. Department  managers are strongly encouraged to meet with each employee and have a one on one meeting. The meeting should target each manager finding out how the employee feels about their position, what they feel the pros and cons are for their position, and if the employee have any struggles in their position that need attention. These seminars and personal one on one attention with the employees will give tools for each employee to use in becoming successful in their positions and the company as a whole. It will also boost employee morale and would be a great gesture on the company’s behalf to show the employees that the company values them, is willing to investing time in each one of them, and you care about them. In return, the company should see significant improvement in time management and communication. References Case Study for Student Analysis, University of Phoenix, 2014

Sexual Abuse In the Catholic Church :: Paedophilia Catholic Church

The Catholic Church is right now struggling with a very serious and grave scandal, Sexual Abuse of catholic priests and Paedophilia. Within the last year the Catholic Church has had to dispense over 100 million dollars in sexual abuse settlements*** (find source). However, the crisis became mainstream when two Catholic priests in Boston were accused of abusing over 100 boys and young men. The church worldwide has felt repercussions from this scandal. In fact, it even resulted in the call of all American cardinals who are healthy enough to travel to a summit in the Vatican with Pope John Paul the second. There are several issues at play as this scandal continues. In this paper I hope to look at the actual scandals involving retired priest Paul Shanley and defrocked priest John Geoghan. These two men served as priests in the Boston community for over 20 years under the leadership of three different Cardinals. Throughout their years of service they had sexual relationships with males ranging from the age of 4 to 26. Only within the past year were legal steps taken against them. John Geoghan was tried and convicted and Paul Shanley’s case is still under investigation. In the Catholic Church, priests are the moral authority. When one has questions with his faith he is taught that he can go to his priest for informed answers. In this paper I also hope to deal with how these priests failed their flock. They took advantage of men who came to them for help when in trouble and preyed on the little boys who came to the church for guidance. In addition to the tacit feeling that as a priest they will only do what is right, these men told their victims that they would deal with the moral implications. I also hope to look at the role of the Cardinals in this whole affair. The Catholic Church teaches that these men are responsible for the priests under their care, as well as the people. Fathers Geoghan and Shanley served under three Boston Cardinals and they were still allowed to continue preying on the people in their parish. The people of the church depend on their Cardinals to keep the archdiocese in order, and these men failed the people they are supposed to guide. The question then arises: how much responsibility should these Cardinals take. In order to answer that question I shall look at Cardinal Bernard Law.

Incorrigible Children Book Essay

In the beginning of the book, the main characters start to make progress towards their goals. When Alexander is trying to learn his name the closest he can come to is â€Å"Loyally† (55). Even if Alexander did not get his name correct, I?s hard to pronounce his name. Alexander hard work may have not gotten him to his goal, but it was an improvement from howling. After a long day of working on not chasing squirrels, â€Å"The children would quiver and tremble†¦ But they were soon able to resist actually chasing the squirrels for whole minutes at a time† (89). All the children tried very hard.Along with the children's hard work they improved on kicking their squirrel chasing habits. The beginning of the book, the main character goals are becoming slightly closer As the book progresses the main characters determination has started to pay off. Lady Constance was somewhat pleased when Penelope told her the children†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Have learned the words for many common it ems, such as ball, doily and so forth† (70). Lady Constance is seeing improvements in the children because of Penelope' work toward the kids. If it wasn't for Pongee's interest in the kids there would be no improvement in their education.The kids not know enough words to be creative and recite a poem that goes, â€Å"Moon, moon, moon. Night, no moon? Dark. Night, yes moon? Light! Yes, moon! Ahwooooo† (92). Penelope is thrilled to know that the poetry she has read the children has inspired them to creativity is proving that the kids are starting to live normal-sis lives. As the book progresses what the main characters have done is starting help them. At the end of the book the main characters realize that hard work really does pay off. â€Å"Alexander. Please to make your acquaintance† (193).Alexander has earned to talk and is greeting guests at the Lady and Lord's Christmas party. At the beginning of the book, Alexander could not talk at all. In the beginning of the book progress is made to completing the goals Penelope has set for the children. Later on in the story some of the smaller goals have been met in civilizing the children. Finally at the end of the book, all of the hard work paid off and the children have taken the first step to becoming more like normal children. Mayors Wood used her book, The Incorrigible Children of Gaston Place, to show the readers that if you try hard, you will never fail.