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#1
07-01-2002, 11:18 PM
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I nominated John Moses Browning on NPR today
I know, many here won't listen to NPR, but I hate ceaseless commercials when I am working so I listen to Oregon Public Radio all day.
On today's "Talk of the Nation" the show was about "forgotten" giants of 20th Century history. The discussion was sparked by the publication of a recent anthology of forgotten giants of history which had among its "contributors" former NYC Mayor Ed Koch and ultra-leftist law professor Alan Dershowitz. I scarcely thought we'd be hearing about anyone who mattered, and I began to tune out the program. . .but then I thought why not? So I called. It took awhile but I got through to the producer who screened me. We talked. "So who would you like to nominate?" "John Moses Browning." "What did he do?" "He designed the firearms that saved two members of my family during WWII and Korea." Believe it or not, I got on. If you don't believe it, go to npr.org and look up today's show about thirty-five minutes in. Anyway I briefly got to talk about the BAR and the 1911. Host Neil Cohen didn't seem too interested and I couldn't/wouldn't go on a pro gun rant. I couldn't even recall off the top of my head how many other firearms JMB had designed (yes the BHP and a machine gun, but what else?) anyways I am not all that much a history buff nor all that great on the phone. I did, for a brief time, get to rub a national liberal radio audience's nose in it that there are pro-gunners out there listening to their usual dwaddle. I often catch them sneering about folks like us on their call-in shows. Must have perturbed some granola eaters mightily down in Berzerkely to have to hear of a firearms designer being regarded as someone's "forgotten" hero of the latest century of American history. By way of contrast, shortly after I hung up, they had a scheduled guest on who idolized some interior decorator whose main claim to fame was the blue/orange scheme of the Howard Johnson restaurant chain. They suck. At least I got JMB in the mix to counter all of the other pantywaists nominated, other than Nicolai Tesla of course, the inventor of AC current and someone tough enough to take innumerable electrical shocks in his lifetime. Cheers, and remember to hit liberals when and where they're not looking for it. Last edited by 8045; 07-01-2002 at 11:20 PM. 
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#2
07-01-2002, 11:37 PM
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Good for you 8045! It really is exciting to be on the air isn't it? I used to call in to local shows a lot but with the exception of Larry King years back I've never been on the national ones. You really succeeded wonderfully in a couple of ways. You educated some people about a popularly unknown giant and also from the sound of things you also shed we gun owners in a good light by your well mannered time on the air. Stay safe, Gary
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#4
07-02-2002, 12:09 AM
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I seem to recall something like 70 patents, and I do believe that to be low, probably more like 700 patents, were held for firearms designs by Browning. I'm sure someone more knowledgable will have the exact number.
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#5
07-02-2002, 08:25 AM
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100 points for 8045!! Well done my man! Sure wich I'da cought that, did it go out on NPR or the local carrier? I'll try the link you gave.
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#6
07-02-2002, 08:53 AM
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I've often thought that the lotus-eaters could no longer surprise me with their skewed view of reality, but I was wrong. Lionizing someone as a "giant of the 20th Century" for selecting the Howard Johnson color scheme???? Holy trivial thought processes, Batman!
__________________
There was no such thing as a bluff; when a gunfighter reached for his forty-five, every faculty he owned was keyed to shooting as speedily and as accurately as possible, to making his first shot the last of the fight. - Wyatt Earp
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#8
07-02-2002, 10:10 AM
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The gas hammer machine gun (aka the Potato Digger - The Colt 1895).
The Hi Wall and Low Wall single shot rifles, manufacured by both Browning in Utah and by Winchester. The Winchester lever action rifles from the M-92 on. The 97 Winchester and the one that came before it. The two lever action Winchester shotguns. Any number of pistols prior to his work on the government contract that led to the 1911. They were chambered in .25, .32, .380, .38 ACP and .45 ACP (the Colt 1905). The A-5 shot gun as produced by Browning (FN) and Remington. (Winchester turned it down). The BAR. The 1917 water cooled machinegun in .30-'06. The 1919 air cooled machinegun in .30-'06. The M2HB machine gun in .50 BMG. (Both air and water cooled). Browning could visulize what had to be done and how the parts should work together and then put the design on paper. Sorta like CAD in the mind.
__________________
TFL #296 -- MOLON LABE Leonidas c 480 BC -- FFF If it ain't metal, single stack, and single action, it ain't a 1911 no matter what it looks like!! Do Not Irk The Forum Curmudgeon Harold V. B: 03/28/11 D: 11/23/07 Dad, I'll miss you.
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#9
07-02-2002, 11:20 AM
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My $.02.
The Howard Johnson's color scheme is somewhere between obnoxious and nauseating anyway. JMB is definitely the greatest engineer of his day (I'd consider him an Engineer because he did what Engineers do - designed mechanical systems). He is also one of the greatest Engineers (or inventors or designers or whatever you want to call him) in history. I put him right up there with Leonardo Da Vinci, Henry Ford and Grog Ungh (a little - known prehistoric figure who designed the wheel).
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#10
07-02-2002, 02:24 PM
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8045
Way to go! I heard you on NPR yesterday. Glad to see it was one of us here on this board. JMB is definately in the "invisible giants" of yesteryear. You are correct at stating he's not PC enough for todays acknowledgements.
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#11
07-02-2002, 03:11 PM
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When you think about it, if it were not for JMB, NPR would probably not have the RIGHT TO EXIST. How ironic, and you say the commentator did really wasn't interested in what you were saying. Well good on John! I'll go with JMB anyday over NPR.
__________________
"If it ain't a COLT, it's just a copy!" ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE!
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#12
07-06-2002, 02:40 PM
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8045, Your my new hero.
 Seriously, Great work and great post. We need more shooters like you! Thanks
__________________
!!-DANGER-!! Contents of this post have NOT been approved by ashcroft or "Homeland Defense". Contents may cause irritation to sheeple!
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#13
07-08-2002, 02:41 AM
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LMAO!
And Way-t-go 8045!!! Sometimes it pays to do the obvious even in the face of "certain defeat". Just think how many millions of people had to listen (or at least had the opportunity) to that. I think you probably made a far greater impact too in not attempting to steer things into a "pro gun" vein. Firearms were largely a "matter of fact" feature of our nation. And that is where we need to go to win this war - back to where they are a simple matter of fact. Great going! (And another three cheers for JMB)
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#16
07-09-2002, 12:11 AM
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Browning Museum
If you ever get near Ogden Utah (~30 mi N of Salt Lake City) be sure to visit the Browning Museum. It is right downtown in the old Union Train Depot. I think admission is $4.50, gets you in to that one, a train museum, small car museum (mostly cars that were owned by Browning family as a hobby). I didn't have the time I needed to read every display, but worth the visit!
http://www.theunionstation.org/browning.htm Until I visited, I had no idea how many very popular firearms came from John Browning.
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