Salt Petre 1774

Paul Revere, known for his midnight ride, created this engraving of saltpetre refining for the Royal American Magazine. Saltpetre, or potassium nitrate, was a crucial ingredient in manufacturing gunpowder, a commodity in high demand at the time. Engravings like these were essential for disseminating knowledge and technology in the 18th century, particularly in the American colonies as they moved towards revolution. This seemingly technical illustration reflects a larger narrative of colonial self-sufficiency and resistance. By producing essential materials like gunpowder, the colonists could challenge British authority. The figures shown here in the print were largely unacknowledged laborers, whose work sustained the revolutionary effort. This print serves as a reminder of the diverse contributions, recognized and unrecognized, that shaped American history. While Revere is remembered as a hero, it's important to consider who is missing from this picture and the stories that remain untold.