The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
The past couple of weeks have been something of a wild ride at the Fields’ homestead. So the prompt and my story are reruns from November 2014. A handful of you were part of the gang then. Feel free to repeat your story as well. 😉
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
PATENT US 5104 A
After weeks of rolling waves and seasickness, Robert William Thomson arrived in America. Banished. A fugitive all because he refused to go to Seminary. Sentenced to apprentice as a merchant with his uncle in Charleston.
The weary boy tried to find a comfortable position in the carriage as it lurched and bounced along the rock strewn road. His back ached with each bump and he longed for his beloved Scotland.
“I couldn’t learn Latin either,” said his uncle with a wink. “What would ye really like to do, laddie?”
“I’d like to take the corners off these bloody wheels.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Hi Rochelle, I like how you manage to uncover from the archiveslots of interesting historical facts. The invention of the pneumatic tyre has certainly made our lives more comfortable. there was also the humour, which is typical of the period.
I can understand the frustration with learning latin, I had two years learning the subject and decided on physics when we moved up a year. Looking back, I think it was the method of rote used to learn the subject rather than making it interesting–rather dull indeed.
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Dear James,
So much of what we learned (and soon forgot) in school was by rote, wasn’t it? I wasn’t a big fan of my history classes. All those dates and dry facts. Would that the teachers had given historical figures and events faces and emotions. 😉 Thank you for your encouraging words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And he created history!
Great that some people have made lives so comfortable for us.
Great real-life story again, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Anita. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nah! It’ll never catch on. The sharp stones on the road will pucture the tyres.
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Dear Neil,
Ya don’t think? There is that puncture issue. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was absolutely fascinating —and reading on, at the history page. Quite something, to have that nature/ability/passion to just keep on inventing. Once again the role of the partner is key in my opinion, not explicitly stated, but seen between lines. Much enjoyed the “scene” you presented the story in.
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Dear Ain,
History is fascinating. Inventors never cease to amaze me. Thank you for your generous comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your humorous last line perfectly rounds off an interesting story. Robert Thomson sounds a fascinating character!
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Dear Penny,
Inventors amaze me. I have to wonder how they came up with those everyday things (that weren’t everyday in their day 😉 ) we take for granted. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Well, this was before my time so it’s brand new! And I love how you have managed to humourously tell the tale of how Thomson was inspired to invent something none of us would want to do without now!
Shalom and lotsa smoothly rolling love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Wow. You’re really on it this morning! Glad you enjoyed my oldie but goodie. Just didn’t have the headspace this week to come up with anything new. (just a smidge before your time 😉 ) Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom and lotsa smooth rolling hugs,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Shitty night, no walk taken. But all caught up on FF and have even written one. How’s that for productive despite it all? And nothing wrong with a re-share now and again.
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Insomnia for me last night. Slow getting started this morning. Hoping to get a swim wedged into my morning.
Shalom and some groggy hugs.
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Me too. Up from 1:30 to 4:45… Looked at the temp and said eff it. I am not walking.
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Great story, Rochelle. Hope things settle down a bit at home.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Dear Rowena,
This is proving to be another crazy busy week. One more art fair on the books for this month and, of course, Christmas. Thank you re the good wishes and the compliment on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thinking of you, Rochelle. This time of year, everything seems to accelerate and so many activities jump out of the woodwork all at once.
Good luck with promoting and selling the book.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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An amazing inventor, and a great read. I enjoyed it
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Glad you enjoyed, Michael. Thank you for taking the time to say so. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hard to imagine that these things actually had to be invented.
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Dear Dawn,
We take such commonplace things for granted, don’t we? It’s nice to see you here! 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And thus, shock absorbers were invented! Great piece of history here. I sure needed them this morning… or was that sleigh runners. We had our first skiff of snow after several days of rain and thus ICE is afoot. Missed the car spinning in front of me by taking a detour through the ditch. Thanks to the airport crews who keep the sides of the road so nicely trimmed. I almost made it out, but dang culvert. Thanks again to the guys who pushed me out. And prayers of praise that all 8 cars that ditched, not a single injury… just embarassed. HEhe!
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Dear Bear,
Wow! Wild morning. Glad you’re here to tell about it. Thank you re my story. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You ad me right there in the carriage with that poor kid, Rochelle. Travel for us is a piece of cake compared to back then. Enjoyed this one very much.
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Dear Linda,
It’s easy to romanticize about horses and buggies, isn’t it? I imagine they could be jolting and very uncomfortable. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, but if they’re magical, everything is smoothly paved and there are tons of warm blankets available 🙂
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This guy was quite a prolific inventor. I love your humor in this story. The link you provided was really interesting as to his life. As to his inventions, timing is everything sometimes. I love how you introduce history lessons of little know people/inventions to us. Thanks for the education you give us.
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Dear Jan,
I’m glad you still enjoyed it this second go-round. It’s amazing the history that’s just fallen through the cracks, isn’t it? Thank you, M’luv.
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I missed this one the first time around, Rochelle. My Dad apprenticed with Dunlop, but I’m in that majority who had never heard of Thompson.
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Dear Jen,
I’d never heard of Mr. Thompson either. It’s so much fun to have the internet at our fingertips, isn’t it? If only I’d had it when I was in school. I might’ve done better in history. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha! That’s a great story, well done.
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Thank you, Mason. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I looked him up. He invented the fountain pen too. It’s a good thing he didn’t go to a seminary. Future generations of seminarians have him to thank for tires and pens
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Dear Larry,
I’m glad you took the time to learn more. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love it!
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😀 Thanks, Di.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So interesting to learn of the many mechanical improvements this one man effected in his short lifetime. When I read about such people I have to wonder about reincarnation, time travel, or both. He improved life for so many!
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Dear Lisa,
The only problem with the time travel theory is that it had to start somewhere. 😉 I personally am grateful for the tire. Although mine don’t seem to want to stay aired up. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, hoping you can get your bike to the shop for them to fix your tires! You are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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The Uncle sounds like a blessing on his new life. I remember this one well
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Dear Sandra,
It’s good to have years of these short shorts to pull from, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great repeat! Old but new like other “reinvented” things. Thanks for sharing.
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Dear Anne,
The wonderful thing about history is that it doesn’t get “old.” 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m surprised you managed to surface at all this week – well done!
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Thank you, Liz.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yet another thing we take for granted without giving a thought to how it came about – until now!
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Dear Keith,
It all begins somewhere, doesn’t it? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There’s nothing like a bit of discomfort to get the creative juices flowing!
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Dear Ali,
Well it is said that necessity is the mother of invention. Now if someone will invent a self-organizing office for me…;)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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we really owe so much from those who came before us. they have made our lives more comfortable.
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True story, Plaridel. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The bumpy ride as an inspiration, what a great story. Some people whine (me included), others come up with great inventions. Fun story, Rochelle. I had trouble this week, too.
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Dear Gabi,
A busy week is being followed by a busy weekend. Hoping things will slow after the holidays. 😉 Glad you enjoyed my story and took the time to say so. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Read the history too. Interesting.
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Thank you, Trish. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Another thoroughly fascinating story from history! I’m glad Thomason’s inventive genius is not wholly lost to history.
Shalom uv’rachah,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
I’m grateful we have the internet at our fingertips. Would that I’d had it in school. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom uv’rachah,
Rochelle
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Hey Rochelle,
I love it when you do this. I appreciate being remined that things have not always been as they are. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
It’s amazing the things we take for granted, isn’t it? Even our computers. And how far they’ve come since the 1980’s when I yelled at my husband for spending money on a “Trash 80”. Whatever do we need that for? Now we’re a two CPU couple. 😉 Not to mention the iGadgets. And 50 years ago I had an IBM electric typewriter. Oh and I could age myself even farther but I’ll stop it right there.
I’ll apologize now for my overblown reply and say thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My Dear Rochelle,
I shall never get enough of your insights. So, feel free to rave on.
Of course, I can relate. I spent more $ on techy stuff in the 90s for what is now junk than I do today for more than what NASA had back then. My (old) cell phone and iPad sit at my left elbow. 🙂
Peace and Love on a Saturday night.
Bill
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A fabulous account of a multi-talented personailty. Another interesting historical fiction, Rochelle.
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Thank you for your sweet and validating comment, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh how interesting! I love that you give us a taste of history, bringing it to life with a personal touch and giving historical figures a voice. Love ya work !
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Dear Laurie,
You know me and history. 😉 Glad you enjoyed. Thank you for your sweet comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This was lovely! I am NOT sorry that we have corner-less tires. Me poor bones would’a been black and blue othemwize … 😉
I am tardy, VERY tardy, to this challenge, but … hey … a gal likes to make an entrance sometimes … 😉
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Whenever you can grace us is good to me. ❤
I know what you mean. I love my horseless carriage and rubber wheels. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Me three! And shock absorbers! 🙂
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