As an author I’m learning my industry is not much different than it was in 1507. Because some 60 years after the discovery of movable type, curiosity about sea voyages of the previous two decades was escalating and an enterprising author named Martin Waldseemuller, decided to publish rudimentary maps of the new lands reached by the super heroes of his day. Being a good author he dutifully researched reports on the new areas including a massive landmass in the Western Hemisphere.
However, rather than use the name Christopher Columbus who was in litigation over rights to New World treasures. He chose the name of self-promoting Italian merchant who, as a social media whiz of his time, plastered his name on advertising pamphlets all across Europe. The name was Amerigo Vespucci and the naïve author decided to call the new continent Amerigo, which didn’t make a bit of difference to anyone including Columbus, until Waldseemuller’s book became a best seller!
–Since Columbus eventually wound up in jail, he may have read Waldseemuller’s book in his spare time.
Kevin J. Palmer
The Quiet Rich
