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John Ericsson

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Inventor

The Resume

    (July 31, 1803-March 8, 1889)
    Born in Langbanshyttan, Sweden
    Mechanical engineer and inventor
    Designed steam engines, screw propellers and torpedo boats
    Best known for designing the ironclad USS Monitor for the Union during the US Civil War

Why he might be annoying:

    While serving in the Swedish army, he fathered a child out of wedlock (1824).
    His commercial failure in marketing his early inventions resulted in two stints in debtors prison, followed by a declaration of bankruptcy (1835).
    His design for the Monitor was initially rejected by the Navy as too radical.

Why he might not be annoying:

    At fourteen, he was appointed as a surveyor for the Gotha Ship Canal, where he oversaw work by 600 Swedish soldiers.
    When he designed the USS Princeton, perhaps the most advanced warship of its day, Captain Robert Stockton attempted to steal credit for it -- until one of the ship's guns exploded, at which point Stockton shifted responsibility back to Ericsson.
    The gun that exploded actually had been designed by Stockton (based on an imperfect copy of a different gun designed by Ericsson).
    Ironclads based on the Monitor's design played a key role in maintaining the Union's blockade of Confederate ports during the Civil War.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 26 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 30.77% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 14 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 13 Votes: 15.38% Annoying