Rufus Porter (1792 to 1884),
Rufus Porter, born in Massachusetts, began his career painting houses and signs, as well as making shoes and farming. He began painting portraits in New Haven, Connecticut where he also made fiddles. He traveled throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic painting portraits, landscapes, murals, and creating silhouettes with a camera obscura he designed himself. He established the magazine “New York Mechanic,” which would become “Scientific American.” Though untrained, he proved an exceptional inventor. He was the first to successfully move a three-story house, and he invented a form of modular housing.
Porter also built a steam-driven auto in 1830, a revolving-barrel rifle, and small dirigible. Though his later career was focused on his inventions, he did experiment with abstract woodcuts. Unfortunately, he did not have such skill with his finances and never achieved any degree of wealth.
Information courtesy of Cowan’s Auctions Inc.