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John Henry
Introduction
Of uncertain historicity but undeniable cultural importance is the story of John Henry, the steel-driving man.
He was an African American railroad worker who became a folk hero among the poor thanks to his earthy nature, physical prowess, and dramatic struggle against the machinery slowly replacing laborers like him.
The Steel-Driver’s Story
The role of a steel-driving man is to hammer a steel drill into solid rock so that explosives can be inserted into the holes for the clearing out and construction of railroad tunnels.
John Henry’s story is traditionally dated to sometime in the later half of the 19th century, at a time when manual steel-drivers were being replaced by faster, more efficient steam-powered drilling machines- the precursors to modern jackhammers and pneumatic drills.
John worked with his hands and his hammer however, and he was known for his speed and strength.
As the story goes, during the construction of one railroad tunnel, a