In 1846, while still a boy, Octave Chanute and his father moved
to New York City. This month long steamship voyage, (along the
Mississippi and Ohio Rivers through the state owned Canal-
Railroad System across Pennsylvania to New York), left a lasting
impression on the youngster. He was fascinated with modern
technology and engineering. While Joseph Chanut was engaged in
literary pursuits, the young Chanute received his education in a
New York boarding school. Engineers earned their “C.E.” (Civil
Engineer) in the field, so in 1848 the teenager applied for a
job with the Hudson River Railroad. When his application was
turned down, he offered to work for free. A few weeks later he
was hired as a Chainman, the lowest paid position at the
railroad. Later, Chanute had a long and distinguished career as
a civil engineer in the transportation field. He worked for many
of the major railroad companies, always looking to improve
systems, always generating fresh ideas. |Hudson River Railroad
from the Report of the Hudson