A link from Wired.com inspired me to make a second post in what might be an occasional series.

Today happens to mark two noteworthy scientific or technical achievements by American Presidents.  This time, especially if you read my last post on this topic, it probably is who you think.

Two hundred twelve years ago today, then Vice-President Thomas Jefferson gave a paper as part of his Presidential Address to the American Philosophical Society.  The society was the first learned society of the United States (founded in 1745, when science was still called natural philosophy).  Jefferson’s paper focused on the bones of a Megalonyx he discovered in Virginia.  The particular species was later named after him.  Jefferson continued as President of the APS until 1815.  The modern day equivalent would be serving as Vice-president and then President while serving as President of AAAS.

One hundred sixty years ago, Abraham Lincoln, fresh off his single term in the House, filed his patent application for a device to assist riverboats over shoals.  My previous post has the details.

An interesting point of contrast is that while Lincoln holds a patent, Jefferson was not as sanguine about their value.  He had mixed feelings about the patent system, and was concerned that it was an unfair monopoly.  That probably contributed to his comparatively strict standards for patents when serving on the patent board.