Side History
Side projects throughout history and the stories of the men and women behind them.
Latest Post
Martha Coston and her side project: The signal flare
As a young widow raising four children, Martha Coston pioneered a naval flare system that transfo...
Samuel Morse and his side project: The telegraph
Samuel F.B. Morse transformed human communication while pursuing an unrequited artistic dream. Hi...
Charles Goodyear and his side project: the vulcanization of rubber
While struggling as a failed businessman in the 1830s, Charles Goodyear (1800–1860) became obsess...
John Walker and his side project: Matchsticks
In a modest pharmacy in northeastern England, John Walker accidentally revolutionized humanity's ...
Eli Whitney and his side project: The Cotton Gin
Yale graduate Eli Whitney's (1765–1825) modest side project—a simple machine to separate cotton s...
Charles Macintosh and his side project: Waterproof fabric
In the rainy streets of early 19th century Glasgow, industrial chemist Charles Macintosh (1766–18...
James Watt and His Side Project: Revolutionizing the Steam Engine
James Watt (1736–1819) transformed a broken model engine into the innovation that would drive the...
John Harrison and His Side Project: The Marine Chronometer
In the early 18th century, a humble carpenter with no formal education solved the greatest naviga...
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek and His Side Project: Microscopy
In 17th-century Delft, Netherlands, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723)—a textile merchant with n...
Johannes Gutenberg and His Side Project: The Printing Press
In 15th-century Germany, Johannes Gutenberg (c.1400–1468) performed a delicate balancing act. By ...
Geoffrey Chaucer and his side project: The Canterbury Tales
In 14th-century London, a middle-aged customs official hunches over ledgers in his cramped office...
Nicolaus Copernicus and His Side Project: The Heliocentric Model
In the remote Baltic town of Frombork, a church official greeted each sunrise like any of his pee...
Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi and his side project: Algebra
In 9th-century Baghdad, amid the golden age of the Abbasid Caliphate, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwari...
Marcus Aurelius and His Side Project: Meditations
While ruling the vast Roman Empire during its most turbulent period, Marcus Aurelius (121-180 CE)...
Claudius Ptolemy and his side project: Mapping the Heavens and the Earth
In the shadow of Alexandria's fading Library, a diligent Roman administrator spent his days calcu...
What was history’s first side project?
This is actually a pretty tricky question. Ancient life wasn’t structured like today. People didn...
What is Side History?
Side projects throughout history – from big ideas to big businesses – and the stories of the men and women behind them. Book coming soon!
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Recent Posts
Martha Coston and her side project: The signal flare
April 06, 2025
Samuel Morse and his side project: The telegraph
March 30, 2025
John Walker and his side project: Matchsticks
March 16, 2025
Eli Whitney and his side project: The Cotton Gin
March 09, 2025