Category: Historical Accounts

Various historical accounts, texts, and reader submissions, excluding News Articles.

First Flight - AI Stock Photo
Posted in Historical Accounts

The “Turn of the Century”

This event, destined to revolutionize transportation and military tactics and to play the deciding role in the fate of nations, was “covered” by a single obscure newspaper

Feedwater Heater - AI Stock Photo
Posted in Historical Accounts

Work and Growth

When I arrived at the mill office, the manager greeted me with a good deal of profanity, ending—’So you are the boy who invented this thing, are you? It is the worst contraption that ever came into this place.’

Bicyles and motorcars - AI Stock Photo
Posted in Historical Accounts

The “Gay 90’s”

Today, it is hard to realize that in the “90’s”—with bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles, trolley-cars and a few motor-driven contraptions—traffic accidents and fatalities were already a problem.

Warren Webster Patent No 390538. Patented Oct 2, 1888. Water Header and Purifier
Posted in Historical Accounts

Warren Webster Enters the Heating Industry

Warren Webster was on the lookout for Opportunity. And Opportunity did come—let’s call him “Mr. Smith” to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings.

491 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia - About 1889. Warren Webster is second from left.
Posted in Historical Accounts

The Years 1876 to 1888

The year 1888 is the key-year in Warren Webster’s business career. His handling of his affairs in that year—at the age of twenty-five, establishes beyond question the quality of his foresight and judgment.

This is an old name, seen in 1858 as Fetter Lane, in 1862 as Fetter's Lane, in 1875 as Fetter Lane, in 1895 as Fetters Lane, and at last in 1910 as Cherry Street. As Peter Woodall says (do take a look at his article!), the sign is remarkably fresh and clear for its age, and has perhaps been recut.
Posted in Historical Accounts

He Goes to Work

“One day Mr. Kohler, my landlord, made a suggestion. ‘I think you ought to reclaim tinfoil,’ he said, ‘you can collect it from the stores and melt it down to get the tin out of it.’

Suphur Soap - AI Stock Photo
Posted in Historical Accounts

Back in Philadelphia – Growing Up

The late Mr. John Wanamaker said: ‘You are just starting out in life. You may be looking for easy roads to travel, but you won’t find them. You have to work hard to accomplish anything worthwhile.

Philadelphia Centennial - AI Stock Photo
Posted in Historical Accounts

1876—The Centennial

Little did he think that within a few short years steam heating throughout the world would bear the name of “Webster.”

Warren Webster - 5 years old
Posted in Historical Accounts

Childhood at Woodbury, NJ

I don’t know of any particular thing that helps business so much as being able to advertise in such a way that people know exactly what they are going to get.

Clouds - AI Stock Photo
Posted in Historical Accounts

Under Lowering Clouds

General Warren was my grandfather’s particular war hero—and when my father was christened he was named “Warren” in his honor.

Appreciation - AI Stock Photo
Posted in Historical Accounts

An Appreciation

Warren Webster had a tremendous capacity for work—for getting things done. He was quick to recognize talent and ability in others and never hesitated to acknowledge it.

Friendless Child Stock Photo
Posted in Historical Accounts

Carol Sampson Feaster – Oral History

..So she sat me down with a soup bowl full. Well, I just looked at the dish and upchucked all over. And she said,” You can go.