Did You Know....About Ohio??

What is a Buckeye??

Ohio received its nickname, the “Buckeye State” because of the many buckeye trees that once covered its hills and plains. 

(Certainly looks like a popular candy around the valley!)

There’s Nothing Wrong with Being Different!

The Ohio state flag (Ohio burgee) is the only American state flag that is not a rectangle.  The 13 stars near the circle represent the original 13 states, the 4 stars near the peak of the triangle symbolize that Ohio was the 17^th state admitted to the union.  The blue triangle represents Ohio’s hill country and it is said (but not certain) that the white “O” may just stand for Ohio.  

 

One Big Happy Family!

Ohio has 88 counties and is the 34^th biggest state in the USA.  As of 2013 OH had a population of 11,570,808 making it the seventh most populous state after CA, NY, TX, FL, IL, & PA. 

The First Permanent Settlement in OH

Marietta was Ohio's first permanent settlement. Founded in 1788 by General Rufus Putnam and named in honor of Marie Antoinette, then queen of France.

Red Light… Green Light…

Cleveland had the first traffic light in 1914. Cleveland also installed the first pedestrian button for the control of a traffic light.

Home of the Hall(s) of Fame!

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton and in Cleveland is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Hot Diggity Dog! 

Ohio claims the first chewing gum in 1869, and the first hot dog in 1900.

Green Ohio!

Ohio is the leading producer of greenhouse and nursery plants.

Did you learn anything new in this blog? We hope that we were able to share a fact or two about beautiful Ohio! Remember we have locations in Bridgeport, Marietta, and Bidwell Oh.  Be sure to stop in and share your fun facts all about Ohio. 

Sources:

http://awesomeamerica.com/ohio/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/ohio/

http://www.50states.com/bio/nickname4.htm#.U9EIMLGTH7w

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio

A Few Facts about Firsts in West Virginia

Not only is West Virginia one of the most beautiful states, but it also boasts a rich, lessor known history of American firsts...

Proclamation!

West Virginia became a state June 20, 1863, in the midst of the Civil War. West Virginia is the only state in the Union to have acquired its sovereignty by proclamation by the President of the United States. Statehood was proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln.

Thanks Mom 

Mother’s Day as we know it today was first observed at Andrews Church in Grafton, West Virginia on May 10, 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother.  Anna wanted to continue to honor her mother and because of her ongoing efforts, Woodrow Wilson signed the decree in 1914 creating Mother’s Day, the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday to honor mothers.   

Power to the Kids

The first 4-H Camp in the United States was built in Randolph County and the first state 4-H camp was held in Lewis County, West Virginia at Jackson’s Mill.  The 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization. 

Hoops

In 1984, West Virginia University player Georgeann Wells became the first woman to dunk a basketball in a college game.  Playing in the Mountaineer Christmas Classic basketball tournament, Wells dunked a men’s regulation sized ball with 11:18 remaining in the game.

Sorry ‘bout that

The first state sales tax in the United States was put into effect in West Virginia in 1921.  Since then 45 of the 50 states have followed our lead.  Oops, sorry about that!

Fore!

Oakhurst Links, located in White Sulphur Springs, was founded in 1884 and is credited with the oldest organized golf club in America.  The Ryder Cup match between the United States and Europe was held at the Greenbrier Resort in 1979.  This was significant because it was the first time players from continental Europe participated in the Ryder Cup.  It didn’t help as the U.S. soundly defeated them 17-11. 

I’m on the Radio

West Virginia University played the University of Pittsburgh in the first football game ever to be broadcast on the radio, in 1921 on KDKA.  Pitt won the game 21-13.  Let’s go Mountaineers! 

                                                      

Mail Time! 

The first rural free mail delivery was started in Charles Town on October 6, 1896, and then spread throughout the United States.

West Virginia is known to be Wild and Wonderful but who knew it had so much cool history....

Sources:

Wikipedia

4-H

50States.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Sulphur_Springs,_West_Virginia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5NiyM0GljE

Wikipedia

Mining Boots – What are the Safety Features?

Mining safety is an important part of the daily lives of many of our friends.  We've put together a list of keywords that are sometimes used by manufacturers to describe the misc. safety features of their boots.  We hope this will aid you with choosing the right mining boots.

ASTM F2413-05 –The Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Foot Protection - This specification covers minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing, and classification of footwear designed to provide protection against a variety of workplace hazards that can potentially result in injury.

Non-Metallic Puncture Resisting Insole - The differences between these classifications of Safety Shoes are that Electrical Hazard shoes are designed to impede (reduce significantly) the flow of electricity through the shoe and to ground, thereby reducing the possibility of electrocution.  Electrical Hazard Safety Shoes will have an “EH” clearly visible on the ASTM label sewn inside the safety shoes.

IMPORTANT:    Electrical Hazard shoes are not designed to be the primary source of protection in an Electrical Hazard environment.  

Triple Rib Steel Shank - This is a metal plate in the sole of the boot that makes it more comfortable for a miner to stand for long periods of time and provides extra support for the foot.

Thinsulate Temperature Ratings - Thinsulate ratings are measured in grams, by the weight of thinsulate. The 3M website recommends thinsulate products based on cool to extremely cold weather, but it does not list temperature ratings.

200 to 400 Grams

Thinsulate with a rating of 200 grams has a temperature rating of 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and is advised for work boots, hunting boots, hiking boots, snowboarding boots and alpine ski boots in cool weather. Boots with 400-gram thinsulate have a temperature rating of 35 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit for cold weather.

600-800 Grams

A thinsulate material having a rating of 600 grams should be worn in very cold conditions at an estimated 15 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit based on the above ratings for 200 and 400 grams. In extremely cold weather, individuals with light activity should select thinsulate products of 800 grams, having a temperature rating of approximately 20 below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

1,000 Grams

Thinsulate products with a rating of 1,000 grams should also be used in extremely cold weather conditions, at temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Composite toe - Composite safety toes are non-metallic and are manufactured using lightweight materials which results in a lighter boot. 

Steel shank - A steel shank is a thin piece of steel in the sole of the boot that prevents sharp objects from puncturing the foot from underneath. A steel shank can also provide extra arch support

SCUBALINER™ - Carolina’s exclusive proprietary waterproof lining system designed to keep your feet dry.

Internal Met Guard- Metatarsal protection that reduces the chance of injury to the metatarsal bones at the top of the foot (Mt/75),

Sources:

ASTM International

Vulcan Safety Shoes

eHow

These Boots Are Made For…

With 100,000 country music fans headed to the Ohio Valley’s biggest country music event, Jamboree in the Hills, we would use this opportunity to remind y’all that we carry awesome western boots for men, women, & children! So before you dance your way over to “Jambo” stop by Bridgeport Equipment & Tool and get your new cowboy boots! 

Let’s take a look into some of the western boots that we carry:

 

 In 1955, H.H. Brown purchased a shoe company in Richland, PA as they were looking for a location where they would be able to produce western boots.  Originally this plant began making work boots as well as western boots.  By the 1970’s a majority of the boots that were being produced were western.  This actual location was the first plant in the USA to produce a western boot with a safety toe. 

Today Double-H Boots® continues to offer meticulously crafted work and dress boots.  They offer the best in reliability, comfort, and performance.  They are proud to offer a specialty collection of boots made in the USA!

 

Founded by Rocky Brands in 1965, Durango began in Nelsonville, OH.  They have always focused on more of an urban style and historically the brand has been widely distributed in rural and western markets. According to the company itself, “Durango is not a boot, it’s an attitude…We call it OUTLAW FUN.” Having been around for 50 years, this brand is well known for their western and rock & roll inspired footwear. (Perfect for a country music festival!)

Durango boots are styled with American pride and support! Thy have boots that support breast cancer and the FFA as well as ones that are covered in the good old stars and stripes.

 

That’s just 2 of the awesome brands that we carry, we also have John Deere toddler boots, Rocky western boots, and Ariat Boots too! Whether you are looking for style or safety we have it all at Bridgeport Equipment & Tool; stop in or shop online today for your new “kicks”.

Sources:

H.H. Brown

Wikipedia

Durango