John Henry: Man vs. Machine

The video explores the legend of John Henry, a real man who worked on the C&O Railroad tunnels. It discusses historical evidence placing him at either the Big Bend Tunnel in West Virginia or the Lewis Tunnel in Virginia. The video stages a modern recreation of the legendary contest between John Henry and a steam drill, using a jackhammer and strongmen to simulate the event. Despite technical difficulties, the contest concludes with the man outperforming the machine, reflecting the legend's enduring appeal.

What conclusion does the narrator reach about John Henry's existence?

• He was a myth created by railroad workers.

• He was a fictional character.

• He was a character in a novel.

• He was a real person who worked on the C&O Railroad tunnels.

Which tunnel does Scott Reynolds Nelson associate with John Henry?

• Big Bend Tunnel

• Holland Tunnel

• Lewis Tunnel

• Lincoln Tunnel

What is the purpose of the narrator's recreation of the contest?

• To test if a man could beat a steam drill

• To demonstrate modern drilling techniques

• To entertain the audience

• To prove the steam drill was superior

What equipment is used to represent the steam drill in the contest?

• A hydraulic press

• A modern jackhammer

• A traditional sledgehammer

• A pneumatic drill

Who are the strongmen participating in the contest?

• Jameson and Malcolm

• Neil Miller and Scott Nelson

• Chris Morman and Steve Owens

• John Henry and Mike Kales

How long is the contest set to last?

• 35 minutes

• 30 minutes

• 15 minutes

• 45 minutes

What issue does the machine face during the contest?

• It overheats

• It gets clogged with dirt

• It breaks down completely

• It loses power

How deep did the man drill compared to the machine?

• 9 inches for the man, 10 inches for the machine

• 10 inches for the man, 11 inches for the machine

• 11 inches for the man, 10 inches for the machine

• 12 inches for the man, 9 inches for the machine

What does the narrator gain from the contest?

• A new appreciation for modern technology

• Respect for the workers who built the tunnel

• A desire to improve the machine

• A sense of disappointment in the outcome

What does the narrator reflect on at the end of the contest?

• The need for better machines

• The skill of the strongmen

• The historical significance of the contest

• The challenges of modern engineering