🔒Q&A: Historical Society explores CT Inc.’s innovative roots

Q&A talks with Ilene Frank, chief curator of the Connecticut Historical Society.

The Historical Society developed an exhibit called, “Connecticut Innovates!,” which explored innovation through historic and contemporary Connecticut companies.

For the exhibit, which ran through March 25, the Historical Society defined innovation as invention plus impact and looked for changes in materials, processes and ideas that went beyond being just something new. They focused on inventions that helped transform lives and how society views the world.

Q: One of the themes of the exhibit was, “Why Connecticut?” What did you find out? Why was Connecticut an innovative state?

A: The people of Connecticut have long been viewed as innovators. Some reasons are based in our state's founding. When the Puritans established colonies here, they brought with them a way of life that included hard work and dedication as ways to get closer to God. Their religious beliefs also required citizens to be literate so they could read the Bible for themselves. This was one factor in the creation of schools and the rich educational environment that still exists in the state.

Add that to the early dose of Puritan work ethic and bit of “Yankee ingenuity,” and now you have a population that prides themselves on being adaptable problem solvers. Persistence, access to education, the natural resources of our state and an ability to diversify and collaborate all led to Connecticut being innovative.

Q: In your research, is Connecticut still an innovative state? In what areas are we innovating?

A: Yes, absolutely. Whether it is almost 100-year-old companies like Pratt and Whitney that continue to adapt their technical expertise to new products, or younger companies like Protein Sciences that are developing new alternatives to traditional flu vaccines, Connecticut is home to many companies that are offering inventive new materials and ideas that are changing our lives and will continue to do so.

Q: One innovation in the exhibit was the invention of the pay phone. Are there other examples of once-innovative technologies that have become almost extinct?

A: The hoop skirt is a fashion trend that we haven't seen on the streets of Connecticut towns since the mid-1800s. While the hoop skirt isn't a Connecticut invention, Bristol-based Barnes Group was one of the nation's key manufacturers of the hoops. By understanding the mechanics of twisting and shaping wire, Barnes adapted the process to make small clock springs or large hoop skirts, and diversified their product line.

Q: In the midst of preparing the exhibit, what were some of the more unusual elements uncovered? What innovations might have surprised people that took place in Connecticut?

A: I think many of our visitors were surprised to see how Kaman moved from working on pilotless flight to making Ovation guitars. I, personally, loved learning that the vinyl used to produce Bing Crosby's White Christmas record on the Decca label was from the Siemon Company in Watertown.

Q: How was attendance for the exhibit? Was there great interest in the innovations of Connecticut?

A: The Historical Society had great attendance for the exhibit and saw a 23 percent overall attendance increase in 2016. Our visitors responded well to the exhibit and were most impressed by the range of innovative products that the state has developed and continues to develop.

Q: How is what you're doing at the museum guiding the next generation of innovators?

A: The Historical Society works closely with teachers and school administrators to develop programs that connect today's youth with their history and inspires them to think about how they want their futures to unfold. We've been offering more professional-development workshops for teachers to promote using primary source documents and historic artifacts in their curricula. We feel that including real examples of the people who lived and worked in our state enriches the lessons and the students engage with the content more deeply.n