It is estimated today that one American in six can trace all or part of his ancestry to Germany. The largest of the German migrations came immediately after the Civil War and in the 20 years following that war more than 2 million of them came to America. Their lot. like that of all immigrants. was not an easy one. In addition to the normal problems and suspicions they had to overcome. they had to learn a new language. But learn it they did and in short order the German immigrant community became a strong bulwark of America. Their influence was tremendousJohn Roebling built the Brooklyn Bridge and in doing so invented wire rope. Stories about that magnificent edifice were printed with type from machines invented by Otto Mergenthaler. George Westinghouse invented the airbrake and made hundreds of contributions to the field of electronics as did Charles P. Steinmetz. Studebaker and Chrysler are wellknown names now but not too long ago they were just two more German immigrants. R. H.
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