Peter Cooper was an American inventor, industrialist, and philanthropist, best known for his contributions to the fields of communications, transportation, and manufacturing. Born on February 12, 1791 in New York, Cooper began his career as a coachman. However, he quickly expanded his interests and became involved in various endeavors, including inventing a machine for cutting glue and producing jellies, glue, and other goods. In the early 1830s, he patented an improvement to the steam locomotive, the “Tom Thumb,” which became the first steam locomotive successfully built in the United States. Cooper’s design advancements greatly contributed to the expansion of railway transportation throughout the country. He also played a significant role in the telegraph industry, obtaining a patent for the first practical use of gelatin as insulation for undersea telegraph cables. Additionally, Cooper was involved in politics and social reform, advocating for education, workers’ rights, and abolitionist causes. His philanthropic efforts included the establishment of Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York, providing free education to talented students who could not afford tuition fees. Peter Cooper’s multiple contributions have left an indelible impact on American innovation and society. He died on April 4, 1883 in New York.