How can we fit a lifetime of history, accomplishments, and innovation into a single month? We make the most of every day. We do our part to teach, learn, and spread appreciation for those who may not have been respected or recognized in the past based on the color of their skin.
We must, as a nation, speak on the too-often overlooked achievements and contributions from Black Americans throughout history. We want to start Black History Month off by recognizing two inventors who altered the transportation industry and helped to innovate the sector as we know it today.
Granville T. Woods: First Telegraph Service for Moving Trains
Granville T. Woods registered nearly 60 patents in his lifetime and was a gifted engineer and inventor. From his teenage years, Woods worked a variety of jobs in the railroad industry—the area of work that would hold the key to his future.
Among Woods’ numerous inventions, the one that goes down in history as his most important is the induction telegraph. Created in 1887, this device allowed people to communicate over telegraph wires on moving trains, helping to speed up communication and go on to prevent train accidents and control other crucial errors.
Woods was proclaimed “the greatest electrician in the world” in his lifetime. He sold patents to some of the most famous inventors in history, like Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison. Edison actually battled Woods over patents multiple times and lost each case.
(Photo: Courtesy of The Booklovers Magazine, 1903)
Garrett Morgan: The Three-Light Traffic Signal
It’s hard to imagine driving without traffic lights to tell us to stop, go, and slow down. Until Garrett Morgan’s invention, the common traffic light only had ‘stop’ and ‘go’ signals. In the city of Cleveland, Ohio in 1923, Morgan hatched the idea of including a warning light after witnessing an awful carriage accident at an intersection.
Morgan's original patent drawing, 1923
The first black man in Cleveland to own a car, Morgan was more than just an inventor. He was a local hero, and a diligent activist for social and racial issues of his time. We urge you to read up on his fascinating life, especially how he became recognized as a hero for his invention of the gas mask and his contribution in the Lake Erie Rescue of 1916.
Can you begin to picture how many lives have been saved since Morgan’s invention of the traffic light? This innovation made life substantially safer for both motorists and pedestrians alike, and is still built upon today.
(Photo: Courtesy of the Department of Transportation)
The first full moon of the year is approaching and will be at its peak illumination on Thursday, January 28 at 2:18 PM EST (11:18 AM PST)! While the moon will be brightest at this time, it won’t be visible in our skies until sunset that evening.
January’s full moon is known as the Wolf Moon according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. But where does it get this name?
Tradition and Culture
Indigenous people of North America naming the moons had meanings connected to their societies, environment, and their methods of tracking the seasons. Different groups of indigenous populations had different names for the full moons, as their customs and ways of life were extremely diverse and far-reaching.
The Assiniboine people, for example, gave the January full moon the fitting name of the Center Moon, marking the middle of the winter season. In Lakota culture, this moon was known as The Moon of Hard Times,as January brings fierce weather and short supply of food and resources.
Why 'The Wolf Moon'?
The full moon of January is thought to have become the Wolf Moon because wolves were heard howling more during this time of year. While wolves howl at night for many different reasons including communication and territory, it was always associated with hunting and the lack of food in the harsh January weather.
Moons to Come
The traditional names for the full moons in the coming winter months are:
February: Snow Moon
March: Worm Moon
The beauty of a full moon is even more captivating once you learn the stories in its history.
What is it about our daily commute that feels so engrained in our lifestyle? Is it the ‘Me Time’, the ability to ease into our workday, the simple routine of it all? In the past, commuting was widely surveyed to be one of our least favorite activities. But now that it’s gone, many people find themselves missing it.
Maybe it’s the realization that we’ve lost that in-between time to listen to a podcast, clear our minds on our drive into work, or the sanctuary of being alone in our car. Perhaps we don’t realize how peaceful it can be to grab the window seat on a train, see the sun peaking over the horizon while driving to the office, or people-watch on the subway. When we think of things like traffic on our way home or jam-packed buses, it feels odd that we would miss our commutes at all.
Writing tutor at Southern Connecticut State University, Stephanie Kaesmann told us, “Watching the seasons change on the parkway is something I miss about my commute as I can only tutor online now.”
You’d be surprised at the original thoughts and moments of peace that can be fostered on our rather monotonous daily commutes. Whether it’s walking to catch the subway or half hour drives on the highway, being on the go can bring clarity, and ritual invites a welcome consistency when the world feels so uncertain.
While teleworking, we can create small moments of routine that can mimic the way our commutes get us ready to take on the day. Sit by the window with a podcast on to have your morning coffee. Start the day with a short walk. Change out of your sweatpants. Play a game on your phone. Jot down your goals for the day in a planner or notebook.
When your commute becomes a walk from your bed to your desk, we begin to realize how much we miss even the most mundane parts of our regular day. Take time to give yourself that in-between time and separation from work you may find yourself missing.
While you’re at it, you can use our commuter calculator to see how much you’re saving on your commute.
Weather has a substantial impact on our energy consumption, as electricity powers us through the cold winter months. Less daylight and warmth can bring our use of lighting and heating to an all-time high for the year.
A common NewYear'sresolution is to spend less.This year on Sunday,January 10,National Cut Your Energy Costs Daybrings awareness and tips to help us cut our usage down and save us moneyon our utility bills!
We have a few ways to cut back on energy consumption to start off the new year right.
Consider commute options
Fuel prices make up a good portion of the average household’s costs per month. Using public transportation orjoining a carpooleven one day a week can significantly cut costs and trips to gas stations. Similarly, people who carpool or use alternate modes of transit save on vehicle maintenance, which can beespeciallycostlyinthe winter months.
Lighting choices
It seems small, butthe average household dedicates about 5% of its energy budget to lightingaccording to the Department of Energy. Cutting your energy bill, even by 5%, is only helping yourself in the long run. Choosing more efficient lightbulbs like CFLs and LEDs as well as purchasing controls like dimmers and timers are small steps toward spending less on our utility bills this winter.
It is also worth mentioning that utilizing natural light during the day is always the most efficient choice, taking advantage of the warmth and light that comes in through the windows. Reducing your carbon footprint and energy bills is sometimes easier than you think!
Reduce water use
Taking shorter showers, only running the dishwasher and washing machines when completely full, and checking all faucets, toilets, and showers for leaks are all good ways to cut back on daily water consumption.Another way to be intentional and less wasteful is to never let the water run excessively while you brush your teeth, shave, or wash the dishes.
Lightening your energy costs makes room for some of life’s simple pleasures, and reduces financial stress in your daily life. With any kind of change to your lifestyle, be patient and take it day by day. Over time, your small steps will begin to pay off, and it will show on your utility bills.
What are your favorite ways to spread love during the holidays? With so much uncertainty this year, missing friends and family has been a tough burden many are carrying. One way we can feel the love and togetherness of the holiday season is sending gifts to your loved ones.
With many people working from home, we all know a telecommuter that we hold dear. This opens up a lot of opportunities to send both a thoughtful and useful gift to those that have made their home into their office. Here are our top 5 favorite gifts for the telecommuters in your life for this holiday season!
A Quality Headset
One of the most vital yet underrated pieces of equipment for an ideal telework setup is a good headset! With Zoom calls becoming part of our daily work routines, having seamless audio and microphone connection can create a stress-free work environment for the telecommuter in your life. This gift is also great because it’s something your loved one would use almost every day. Whenever they have a successful Zoom meeting, they would think of you!
An Indoor Plant
Plants have so many benefits to bring to indoor spaces like home offices. Plants offer air-purifying qualities, reduce stress, and improve productivity, attentiveness, and mood. It’s a sweet gesture to gift someone you love a little green friend to take care of during this time where we spend much of our time alone. Just make sure you get a non-toxic variety if your loved one has pets just to be safe. If this person isn’t great with plant care, succulents are growing increasingly popular for how little attention they need! Even a fake plant could bring a nice touch of greenery to their desk space.
A Good Reusable Water Bottle
A sustainable and super useful gift for this holiday season is a reusable bottle like a Hydroflask or a Yeti. Remembering to hydrate is especially important because we don’t have a structured “lunch break” or break room to nourish ourselves in while we telework. It’s up to each of us individually to make sure we are taking breaks to eat and staying hydrated all day long to be our best, most productive selves. Getting a loved one a reusable bottle is like a daily reminder that you care about them and their health.
Personalized Desk Calendar
A calendar or planner can be a fun and personalized gift for any telecommuter in your life. Whether it’s photos of family and friends, cute animals, beautiful landscapes, or images from their favorite TV show, creating a calendar for someone shows thoughtfulness and love. Going into the new year, a calendar may help teleworking loved ones remain organized, productive, and motivated as we see how 2021 treats us.
Self-Care or Spa Kit
Our final gift recommendation for loved ones working from home is an at-home spa kit. Taking time for self-care is more important than ever with heightened feelings of isolation or boredom. When telecommuting, it can be difficult to find a healthy work-life balance as you are essentially living in your office space. Remind those you love that they deserve to pamper themselves and relax with a spa kit. Pick their favorite scents, colors, or beauty stores to give them a personal and tranquil experience in the comfort of their home.
We hope we sparked some ideas for a holiday gift for someone you love. Be safe, be healthy, and remember to send love the important people in your life.
