Inventor, Philanthropist. A Native of New York City, New York, as a child he helped his father at brewing, hat-making and brick making before beginning his career as an apprentice to a coach maker. After three years learning to make coaches he used his manufacturing experiences to venture into the entrepreneurial world. During his life he owned businesses that made machinery, furniture, glue and iron. In 1825 he invented and built "Tom Thumb," the famous prototype for the steam locomotive and in 1845 he received the first patent for the manufacturing of gelatin. He sold this patent to Pearl Waite who prepackaged it and sold the product under the brand name "Jell-O". He also made a machine to make wheel hubs, invented a rotary steam engine and patented a musical cradle. He was instrumental in laying the first Atlantic communication cable from Ireland to the coast of Canada. In 1859 he established the Cooper Union for Advancement of Science and Art. Located in New York City, this institution still exists as a private, full scholarship college offering the underprivileged the opportunity to receive an education. Additionally, Cooper was a presidential candidate for the Greenback party in 1876. He won under 1 percent of the popular vote. He is the oldest candidate to ever be nominated for president by a political party. He died at the age of ninety-two of pneumonia.
Inventor, Philanthropist. A Native of New York City, New York, as a child he helped his father at brewing, hat-making and brick making before beginning his career as an apprentice to a coach maker. After three years learning to make coaches he used his manufacturing experiences to venture into the entrepreneurial world. During his life he owned businesses that made machinery, furniture, glue and iron. In 1825 he invented and built "Tom Thumb," the famous prototype for the steam locomotive and in 1845 he received the first patent for the manufacturing of gelatin. He sold this patent to Pearl Waite who prepackaged it and sold the product under the brand name "Jell-O". He also made a machine to make wheel hubs, invented a rotary steam engine and patented a musical cradle. He was instrumental in laying the first Atlantic communication cable from Ireland to the coast of Canada. In 1859 he established the Cooper Union for Advancement of Science and Art. Located in New York City, this institution still exists as a private, full scholarship college offering the underprivileged the opportunity to receive an education. Additionally, Cooper was a presidential candidate for the Greenback party in 1876. He won under 1 percent of the popular vote. He is the oldest candidate to ever be nominated for president by a political party. He died at the age of ninety-two of pneumonia.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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