Welcome to this week's edition of POB eNews ...

Last week marked the 200th birthday of two of the most influential men of the 19th century: Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin. But since Darwin's legacy overpowers land surveyor and biologist Alfred Russel Wallace, a lesser-known contemporary of Darwin who reached similar conclusions, Abraham Lincoln is the natural selection for today's column.

Lincoln enthusiasts will know that, in many ways, this beloved land surveyor and 16th president stood above the crowd--literally and figuratively. At 6'4", he was the tallest president ever. He was also the first and only president to receive a patent. On May 22, 1849, Lincoln was given Patent #6,469 for "A Device for Buoying Vessels Over Shoals." The invention, which is at the Smithsonian, consisted of a set of bellows attached to the hull of a ship just below the waterline. When filled with air, the bellows raised the boat enabling it to float over sandbanks.

But did you also know that Abraham Lincoln was the first U.S. president to be embalmed? In fact, the Civil War--along with Lincoln's funeral train--marked the beginning of a historic evolution in the way Americans would care for their dead for generations to come.

When Union soldiers died in combat, they were typically buried in the battlefield. But families that could afford the expense often had the government transport their dead home for burial. As the number of dead increased--along with the challenges of locating and transporting decomposing corpses from battlefields, hospitals, etc.--a lucrative market for new "embalming surgeons " emerged. Contracted by the government or working independently, they performed arterial embalming to slow decomposition and better enable transportation over long distances. These embalmers were the forerunners of the modern-day funeral director.

While various techniques of embalming had been around for centuries, Americans, in general, were reluctant and preferred to let nature take its course. Mary Todd Lincoln, however, was impressed by embalming and the lifelike image it imbued. As a result, she had the body of Abraham embalmed for his long post-mortem train trip around the country.

In life, Lincoln certainly was not considered a handsome man--he, himself, admitted, "If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?" But it was his drop-dead (and now hard as a rock) good looks that gave rise to the acceptance of embalming by his adoring public. Soon after, after-death care in America transitioned away from the intimacy of the home and into the embalmer's funeral parlor. 

It just goes to show that land surveyors change the course of history in the most surprising ways--and they don't even have to be alive to do it. 

Wendy Lyons, eNews editor

5 Days Left To Enter!

Extended Deadline: Feb. 23
You have only 5 days left to enter POB's Highlights in Surveying.

The contest recognizes great surveys and surveyors around the world. The winner will not only hold bragging rights but also a $2,000 check from POB!

We've completely revamped the competition format for easier entry. Entry is free. Visit http://his.pobonline.com to learn more. Hurry!

POB is compiling My Survey Truck , an online feature showcasing your survey vehicles. "My Survey Truck" will highlight not only how you set up your survey truck, but why and how. To participate, simply submit your answers to the following questions along with a maximum of six photos (.jpg or .tif attachments) that show off your truck (be sure to include yourself in one of them).

Send your submission to lyonsw@bnpmedia.com by Friday, Feb. 27.

"Construction Surveying and Layout," 3rd Ed., by Wesley Crawford

"Construction Surveying and Layout" is a unique instructional textbook designed for land surveyors and construction professionals. This hardback text contains more than 700 pages of step-by-step information and more than 1,000 detailed illustrations to help you perform construction surveys and layouts successfully. Learn solid techniques that have been proven in the field. This book will make you a better construction surveyor and also assist you in making the next step into the office side of construction operations.

CLICK HERE to purchase or for more details. Call 248/244-1275 with any questions.

Visit AECstore.com to help increase your knowledge, skills and profits!

Surveying museum inches closer to completion
Construction delays force officials to push back target date for opening.

Building the future includes taking care of the past
The Sea-to-Sky Highway, linking Vancouver's two winter Olympic sites, is being built upon layers of historical survey data.

Surveyors face punishment for elevation errors
The Texas Board of Land Surveying determines that two Southeast Texas surveyors violated at least five board rules. Will they be fined or lose their licenses?

Old home elevations called into question
Documents certifying the height of Southeast Texas properties above sea level may be as worthless as the homes flooded during Hurricane Ike.

Click here for more Surveying in the Headlines.

NYC LAND SURVEYORS, PC is looking for qualified individuals for:

Office Draftsman/ Technician ($25-$35/hour), Party Chiefs ($40-50/hour), Instrument Men ($28-38/hour). Pension, Annuity, Medical/Dental.

You can e-mail resume to: pat@nycsurveyors.com, 718-816-8182.

TX Board of Professional Land Surveyors Approves Program for Educational Credit
The Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying approved the SPAR 2009 conference on 3D Imaging for the full 16 credit hours of continuing education.

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Announces Hiring Event
The NGA has announced a national recruiting effort for entry-level positions at the agency's campuses in both St. Louis, Mo., and Bethesda, Md. Local efforts include opportunities for federal police officers, geospatial analysts and staff officers.

Award to Honor Outstanding Achievement in Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Earth Imaging
Intergraph is now accepting nominations for its biennial Carl Pulfrich Award to recognize significant design and manufacturing contributions to the industries of photogrammetry, remote sensing and earth imaging.

ESRI Press Publishes "Map Use"
Complete with nearly 500 maps, photographs, tables, and charts to illustrate the text.
That's why "Map Use: Reading and Analysis," Sixth Edition, will be a valuable book for people who work with, study, and appreciate maps and want to improve their map reading and analysis skills.

Click here to read more Latest Industry News.

Joke of the Week: A Man Who Knows His History

A man was sitting at the bar at a costume party when someone came up to him and said, "Hey, I thought you were supposed to dress up in something that symbolized your love life?"

Problem: Surveying Instruments and Procedures The first backsight and foresight are not balanced. What is the difference between their lengths?

(A) 17.75 ft
(B) 3.55 ft
(C) 35.50 ft
(D) 25.73 ft

Cool Link of the Week: White House 101

In celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday and Presidents' Day this month, take a trip to the official Web site of the White House. Here, you can view slideshows of presidential portraits, first ladies and their pets, learn more about the building, discover fun presidential facts, and much more.

Click to access the rest of this week's Fun & Games.