Miss Martha-All Gods Children-Benjamin Banneker
[1919]

In 1763. he borrowed a pocket watch. took it apart. and made a drawing of each component. Then he reassembled the watch and returned it to the owner. He created his own clock. made entirely of wood. Famous as the first clock built in the New World. it was still working at the time of his death. In 1791. after a year of work. the Frenchman hired by George Washington to design the capitol. walked off the job. taking with him all the plans. Banneker saved the project by reproducing from memory. in two days. a complete layout of the streets. parks. and major buildings. From 1792 to 1797. he published Benjamin Bannekers Almanac. for which he did all the calculations himself. Bannekers life is inspirational. He was unwilling to let race or age hinder in any way his thirst for intellectual development.