As Down East Books celebrates 50 years of great book publishing, it seems appropriate to reflect upon the contributions Maine has made that have had significant cultural and historical impacts on both the United States and the World. Did you know that the caterpillar tread, common on bulldozers and tanks, originated from the design of Lombard’s steam log hauler; or that the dry plate photographic process was
created by the Stanley brothers, who also invented a speed-record setting steam powered car and whose sister, Chansonetta, was a well-known photographer in her own right? Maxim’s machine gun forever changed the practice of warfare. The humble peavey is a simple tool well-known to any forester or lumberjack. The ubiquitous lobster boat, the microwave oven, earmuffs, and Monopoly—all came from the minds of Mainers.
This book is a celebration of Maine’s creative ingenuity—from the very large, such
as Portland Head Light and the Penobscot Narrows Bridge to the very small, such as the toothpick and the
Bean boot.
By shopping in our Nature Stores, you are helping Maine Audubon further our mission: to conserve Maine's wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people in conservation, education, and action.
