Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Thomas Jefferson
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the general knowledge and inventions category and focuses on an early President of the United States who was also an enthusiastic inventor. Many leaders in history had multiple talents, and one of the founding fathers of the United States made notable contributions to practical inventions such as the swivel chair, an improved moldboard plow, a spherical sundial and a cipher device. Identifying this person requires basic awareness of American history and the lives of its early presidents.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The key to solving this question is linking the list of inventions and the description of a highly intellectual statesman to the correct founding father. George Washington is known primarily as the first President and Commander in Chief during the American Revolution, not for numerous inventions. Alexander Hamilton was a leading statesman and financier but not a President. John Adams was the second President but is not famous as an inventor. Thomas Jefferson, the third President, was a polymath who designed many devices, including improvements to plows, chairs and architectural tools, and was deeply interested in science and technology. Therefore, Thomas Jefferson best matches the profile given.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that the question mentions an early President of the United States, which limits the choices mainly to Washington, Adams and Jefferson from the options, because Alexander Hamilton was never President.
Step 2: Recall that Thomas Jefferson is widely remembered as an inventor and designer in addition to being a statesman and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
Step 3: Remember specific devices associated with Jefferson, such as a revolving swivel chair he used while drafting important documents, improvements to agricultural tools like plows and various scientific instruments.
Step 4: Recognise that George Washington and John Adams, though very important historically, are not typically described with a long list of inventions.
Step 5: Conclude that Thomas Jefferson is the only option that fully matches the description of an inventor of swivel chairs, sundials, plow designs and cipher devices.
Step 6: Select Thomas Jefferson as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification method is to recall images from history books showing Jefferson's writings and inventions, including the famous chair and other gadgets at his home, Monticello. Additional biographies describe his passion for scientific inquiry and practical innovations. No similar group of inventions is associated with Washington or Adams to the same extent. This consistent pattern confirms that Jefferson was the inventor described in the question.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
George Washington was a leading general and the first President, but he is not widely recognised as the inventor of multiple devices. Alexander Hamilton was an important statesman and the first Secretary of the Treasury, not a President or a famous inventor. John Adams served as the second President and was a major political thinker, but again, he is not associated with technological inventions like swivel chairs and cipher wheels. Thus these options do not match the detailed inventor profile given.
Common Pitfalls:
One common mistake is to pick the most famous founding father without checking the description tightly. Another is to overlook the fact that Hamilton was never President and therefore cannot satisfy the requirement that the inventor was an early President. Students might also confuse various achievements of founding fathers due to overlapping time periods. To avoid this, it is helpful to connect each major figure with a few distinct images, such as Washington with command of the army, Adams with diplomacy and Jefferson with writing, architecture and inventions.
Final Answer:
The early United States President described, who invented devices such as the swivel chair, spherical sundial, moldboard plow and cipher wheel, is Thomas Jefferson.
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