Coming in 2015: The Steve Jobs Postage Stamp The late entrepreneur and father of the iPhone will join the ranks of famous inventors commemorated via postage stamp.
By Laura Entis
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Steve Jobs is getting his own postage stamp. It may seem like an ironic choice -- as the internet was quick to point out, he helped trivialize the now struggling service – but stamp subjects are chosen by an advisory committee that makes selections based on what is "contemporary, timely, relevant, interesting and educational." In that light, Steve Jobs makes complete sense.
Over the years, many people have been honored with their very own postage stamp (including Virginia Dare, for the illustrious distinction of 'first white child born in the English American colonies'). While U.S. presidents, artists and Declaration of Independence signatories are popular choices, a solid number of inventors have also made the cut. In 2015, Steve Jobs will join their ranks, updating the list considerably.
Alexander Graham Bell
Bell (March 3, 1847 -- Aug. 2, 1922) was a scientist, engineer and the inventor of the first practical telephone. In 1940, as part of its 'Famous Americans Series' the U.S. Post Office issued a commemorative stamp honoring the Scotsman.
Chester Carlson
Chester Carlson (Feb. 8, 1906 – Sept.19, 1968) was an American physicist, patent attorney and inventor best known for inventing xerography. In 1988, he was commemorated by the United States Postal Service with a 21-cent Great Americans series postage stamp.
Benjamin Franklin
Franklin (Jan. 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was a man of many professions, including author, printer, politician, scientist, civic activist, diplomat, and inventor (we can thank him for the lightning rod, bifocals and the Franklin stove). Franklin was also the first postmaster of the United States; fittingly, he was commemorated on the first U.S. stamp and has been featured on a range of stamps since then.
Albert Einstein
Born in Germany, Einstein (March 14, 1879 – April 18, 1955) was a theoretical physicist and violinist who developed the general theory of relativity and "the world's most famous equation," E = mc2. He was featured on an 8-cent stamp issued in 1966.
Thomas Edison
Edison (Feb. 11, 1847 – Oct. 18, 1931) was an American businessman and inventor, most famously of the motion picture camera and the electric light bulb. In 1947, he was featured on a commemorative 3-cent stamp.
Eli Whitney
Whiteny (Dec. 8, 1765 – Jan. 8, 1825) was an American inventor best remembered for creating the cotton gin. Like Alexander Bell, he was featured on a commemorative stamp in1940 as part of the Post Office's 'Famous Americans Series.'
