by Thomas F. Schwartz
Hoover’s tenure as Secretary of Commerce witnessed some of the greatest advances in technology with the development or expansion of radio, talking movies, commercial aviation, automobiles, telephones, and television. The Commerce Building in Washington, D.C. is named after Herbert Hoover in recognition of his many achievements as Secretary of Commerce. He followed emerging technologies as well as ways that American manufacturing and business might be promoted abroad. On occasion, Hoover received unique gifts and suggestions such as an idea for an invention by Hieronim Juszcznski, a student from Lemberg, Poland, now Lviv, Ukraine. The letter routed through the State Department’s Eastern European Division provided the following summary:
“This letter is from a young man student in the 7th class of the Gymnasium, who has invented an apparatus for putting on the top of a lamp chimney to utilize the hear of the lamp in heating water, tea, etc. He wants to call it after Mr. Hoover’s name, HOOVEROFON, and also requests Mr. Hoover to interest someone in this country in it exploitation here. There is a description of the lamp, with drawings and claims as to its excellence.”
Hoover’s reply is polite and formal, suggesting that it was composed by an assistant: “Through the kind offices of the Polish Legation I have received your gift of the ‘Hooverofon.’ I am greatly obliged for your courtesy in sending it to me.”