The most interesting – but largely forgotten – siege and bombardment of the age

by Spencer Howard On August 8, 1900, a young Lou Henry Hoover wrote to her friend Evelyn Wight, “you missed one of the opportunities of your life by not coming to China in the summer of 1900… So many many many times I thought of you, and that you should have been here, at the … Continue reading The most interesting – but largely forgotten – siege and bombardment of the age

Revisiting Hoover’s Memo to Truman, May 1945

At this time last year, I wrote a blog on Hoover’s return to the world stage in response to President Truman’s request for Hoover’s insights into the food situation in Europe immediately after V-E Day.  I summarized an 18-page memo Hoover sent to Truman on May 31, 1945, recapping the main points of their 55-minute … Continue reading Revisiting Hoover’s Memo to Truman, May 1945

Rock, Scissors, Sandpaper

By Thomas F. Schwartz A popular children’s game is rock, scissors, paper: rock breaks scissors, scissors cut paper, paper covers rock.  Hoover’s eye doctor, Maynard C. Wheeler offered an interesting variation on the game in his oral history about Herbert Hoover.  Previous blog posts have detailed Hoover’s habit of smoking Cuban cigars and pipe smoking … Continue reading Rock, Scissors, Sandpaper

The Phantom President

By Thomas F. Schwartz A recent viral video shows a famous Hollywood actor performing magic tricks.  Surprisingly, it is not the actor at all but someone with an uncanny resemblance.  “Deep fakes,” the use of artificial intelligence to create videos showing images so real, such as Queen Elizabeth performing a TicTok dance, that the fake … Continue reading The Phantom President

A Troubled Relationship

Herbert Hoover with President Elect Franklin D Roosevelt as they leave the White House on their way to the Inauguration ceremonies. By Thomas F. Schwartz             Much ink has been spilled on the relationship between Herbert Hoover and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  What began as friendly mutual cooperation ended in a bitter transition of power.  It … Continue reading A Troubled Relationship

Lou Hoover on Women and Politics

By Thomas F. Schwartz Lou Hoover never voiced an interest in running for political office.  Her philosophy of “lead from behind” preferred a role as quiet mentor and not outspoken leader.  This did not prevent her from voicing her opinion on the larger role that women play in leadership and governance.  Speaking before a gathering … Continue reading Lou Hoover on Women and Politics

The Interstate Highway System, Dwight Eisenhower and Lou Henry Hoover

Eisenhower Interstate Sign Attentive drivers will notice that the highways connecting America are named the Dwight Eisenhower Interstate Highway System. This is a nod to Eisenhower’s commitment to securing passage of the 1956 Interstate Highway Act, a concrete legacy of his presidency.  When discussing improvements to infrastructure today, some policy wonks invoke Ike, calling for … Continue reading The Interstate Highway System, Dwight Eisenhower and Lou Henry Hoover

An Average Day in the Life of a President

By Thomas F. Schwartz             George Aubrey Hastings served as an administrative assistant to President Herbert Hoover.  After Hoover left office, Hastings was asked to speak about his time in the White House and what he observed.  In a talk before the National Republican Club on May 16, 1933, Hastings provided a glimpse into the … Continue reading An Average Day in the Life of a President

A Problem of Youth:  Herbert Hoover’s Changeable Age

By Thomas F. Schwartz Many young people are in a hurry to grow up and be able to do things that their age prevents.  Once they get older, they begin to pine for the previous unencumbered joys of childhood.  It remains a great irony of life.  Herbert Hoover was one of the many precocious youth … Continue reading A Problem of Youth:  Herbert Hoover’s Changeable Age

Women’s History Sources at the Hoover Library: Bess Goodykoontz-Educator and Writer

Bess Goodykoontz was born in 1894 and raised in Waukon, Iowa.  She earned BA and MA degrees from the University of Iowa, then taught in rural Iowa schools, supervised elementary schools in Green Bay, Wisconsin and taught at the University of Pittsburgh for five years.  In 1929, Goodykoontz was appointed Assistant Commissioner for Education within … Continue reading Women’s History Sources at the Hoover Library: Bess Goodykoontz-Educator and Writer