Delaware from Freeways to E-Ways

Dave Tabler’s DELAWARE FROM FREEWAYS TO E-WAYS is popular history—it serves as a short introduction to a variety of topics about Delaware, rather than entering any deep analysis or constructing an analytical argument—but it is popular history well-presented. The facts and imagery are drawn from a variety of archives, historical societies, and local-interest groups, so there’s no impeaching the text’s bona fides. The imagery itself is compelling, especially imagery of technology (19th-century lighthouse schematics, 1960s spacesuit designs, and photography of polio patients in “iron lung” machines, all stood out for this reviewer). In this regard—as a coffee-table book, where a reader might casually flip pages and stop on a picture that piques their interest—FROM FREEWAYS TO E-WAYS is perfectly serviceable.

Upon closer scrutiny, however, the text proves to be poorly organized for either sustained enjoyment or understanding. The most straightforward problem is that the text about any particular topic is only given the space of three or four paragraphs, accompanying an appropriate image. Any further information is relegated to endnotes (the arguably mistitled “Notes on Photographs”). The problem is that these endnotes comprise the bulk of the text. By page count, they constitute half the book; and, by volume, the overwhelming majority of actual information is found in this section. In many instances, the most interesting or valuable information about any given topic is “below the fold,” forcing a reader to break flow, consult the endnotes, then flip back to their place in the first half of the text. Sometimes, this means a reader will miss historical curios like the doughty Mary Hopkins, who drove the state’s first mobile libraries to service rural communities in 1912, or the particulars of the original Fenwick Island Lighthouse (“An imported Parisian prism, which a watchman manually rotated every two minutes, amplified the light from whale oil lamps”). In other instances, this obscures important, unflattering history about capitalists like the du Ponts—who vocally opposed the creation of social security and defamed such measures as “a vicious combination of Fascism, Socialism, and Communism.” It’s unclear why the text isn’t simply arranged for completeness, and for ease of reading and understanding. As is, a reader can either learn about a topic or enjoy a smooth, straightforward reading experience, but cannot quite do both.

Unusual decisions about structure characterize the overall organization of the text, as well. The title itself—from freeways to e-ways—belies the fact that many of the topics (cultural ones like indigenous people, industrial ones like canning, ecological ones like waterways) have roots well outside the 20th century, and their inclusion in a work about the transition from physical to digital infrastructure can be difficult to justify. Internally, the topics are arranged in a nominally chronological order, broken into four overarching sections (1900-25, 1926-50, etc.). These sections are very rough groupings, and contain material that doesn’t always clearly connect: does “Bird Migration” belong under “Corporate Legacies & Societal Shifts,” or “Nanticoke Powwows” under “Toward Digital Horizons”? The juxtaposition of such broad, complex topics often confuses the chronology, and, at times, inhibits understanding.

DELAWARE FROM FREEWAYS TO E-WAYS would benefit from some reorganization, which would allow it to better accomplish the goal of engaging and informing readers. Nonetheless, the content of the book is compelling and historically valuable, especially drawing as it does from archival sources.

Dave Tabler’s DELAWARE FROM FREEWAYS TO E-WAYS is full of vibrant imagery and interesting history, though a lack of clear structure sometimes impedes both learning and enjoyment.

~Dan Accardi for IndieReader

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Delaware from Freeways to E-Ways is a masterful chronicle of Delaware’s transformation across the twentieth century!

Through captivating stories of innovation, resilience, and cultural development, David L. Tabler offers readers a nuanced portrayal of how Delaware, the First State, made outsized contributions to America’s narrative. As the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787, Delaware holds a unique place in the nation’s history—a distinction that sets the stage for its continued role as a trailblazer throughout the twentieth century. From pioneering infrastructure projects like the DuPont Highway, which revolutionized transportation along the East Coast, to leading the charge in corporate law, attracting two-thirds of America’s Fortune 500 companies, Delaware’s influence far exceeds its small geographic footprint.

The book also highlights Delaware’s pivotal contributions to science and technology, including the invention of nylon by Wallace Carothers at DuPont, a breakthrough that transformed the textile industry. The state’s environmental leadership is equally noteworthy, with figures like Edmund H. “Ted” Harvey championing conservation efforts, and landmark legislation like the Coastal Zone Act of 1971 setting national precedents for ecological protection. Additionally, Delaware’s role in the digital revolution emerges prominently through the University of Delaware’s groundbreaking internet research, positioning the state at the forefront of the emerging information age.

Delaware’s cultural richness also shines through its art institutions, such as the Delaware Art Museum, and the enduring traditions of communities like the Nanticoke Native Americans. The state’s commitment to social progress is reflected in milestones like the desegregation of the University of Delaware, contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, and advocacy for women’s rights. Collectively, these highlights reveal how Delaware’s strategic location, historical significance, and forward-thinking spirit have continually shaped the broader American story, making it an essential subject for understanding the nation’s complex identity.

The book’s exploration of transportation advancements, digital evolution, and corporate growth highlights Delaware’s pivotal role in shaping modern America. Its approachable writing style, bolstered by vivid anecdotes and historical photographs, makes it an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamic interplay of local and national histories.

Though this book is PACKED-FULL of interesting stories about Delaware, there are some gems that stood out to us. One particularly fascinating story is that of Cecile Long Steele, whose accidental venture into poultry farming gave birth to Delaware’s broiler chicken industry—a development that would transform the entire American food landscape. In 1923, Cecile ordered 50 chicks for her small farm in Ocean View, but due to a shipping error, 500 chicks arrived instead. Rather than returning them, Cecile decided to raise the surplus chickens for meat, discovering a lucrative market for broilers.

This simple twist of fate sparked an industry that grew rapidly, positioning Delmarva as the epicenter of broiler chicken production in the United States. Cecile’s story isn’t just about agriculture—it’s about innovation, adaptability, and economic transformation. What started as a shipping mistake led to a thriving industry that reshaped consumer habits across the nation, making chicken a staple of the American diet. Her success story perfectly encapsulates the broader themes of the book: how Delaware’s small-town resilience and entrepreneurial spirit led to nationwide impacts, proving once again that big things truly come from small states.

As people who eat chicken regularly (like a lot of Americans do), this bit of trivia really hit us in the feels!

Other highlights include ILC Dover’s space suit and its role in the Apollo moon landing, the Wilmington Trust and Delaware’s corporate dominance leading to two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies being registerd there, Fort Miles and Delaware’s WWII defense efforts against the Germans and their U-Boats, the Polio epidemic in Wilmington, the story behind the Fenwick Island Lighthouse (built in 1858), the feud between Rumrunners and the Coast Guard during Prohibition and the Roaring 20s, and SO MUCH MORE!

There’s even some trivia about former United States president Joe Biden—a Delaware native who began his political career representing the state. The book touches on his long-standing ties to Delaware, highlighting how his legislative work and commitment to public service reflect the values of resilience and determination that define the First State.

This book is a rich reminder that we are surrounded by history.

Another great addition to this book are the fascinating captioned photographs, all of which tell a rich story of their own. These visual treasures complement the narrative by offering glimpses into Delaware’s vibrant past, from historic landmarks like the Fenwick Island Lighthouse standing tall against coastal skies to candid moments capturing everyday life during pivotal eras. Photos of T. Coleman du Pont’s highway construction, ILC Dover’s space suit prototypes, and community gatherings at the Delaware State Fair provide a visual journey through technological milestones, cultural traditions, and personal stories of resilience. Each image is carefully selected and thoughtfully captioned, enhancing the reader’s understanding of how Delaware’s landscapes, industries, and people have evolved over time. Together, these photographs bring history to life, making Delaware’s story not only something to read but something to truly see and experience.

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Made up of intriguing peeks into the state’s historical contributions, Delaware from Freeways to E-Ways is a concise, celebratory reference text that focuses on twentieth-century Delaware.

A history text in vignettes, Dave Tabler’s reference book Delaware from Freeways to E-Ways focuses on historical moments related to the state’s twentieth-century process of modernization.

Covering a century in total, each page of the book focuses on a single moment in Delaware’s history, proffering compelling anecdotes to fuel general interest in learning more about the state’s contributions to culture and technology. There are stories about the founding of the state’s first public library and about the local creation of the first spacesuits worn on the moon. Agricultural, rural, and social changes are included, with emphasis placed on how the state became a major player in technological advancements. In addition, there are trivia-evocative notes on Delaware residents’ colloquial speech patterns, the importance of the holly bush, and national figures that hailed from Delaware. Over seventy topics are covered, together constituting a rough overview of life in the state in the twentieth century.

The book’s organization is haphazard, though, with individual stories introduced on single pages but not completed there; sometimes, the entries cut off before their theses have been relayed. The topics are returned to much later in the book, impeding easy continuity. For example, the book’s entry on suffrage excludes Delaware’s involvement in the movement in the first portion of the story, reserving this information for the second half of the book. Some essays fall outside the scope of the title as well, including those that focus on events that took place before 1900. Further, most of the entries appear sans headings, impeding fluid navigation. The exceptions are the book’s “Custom and Folklore Sidebars,” not all of which are folklore or custom related. The table of contents only runs until the book’s midpoint, omitting the second halves of the stories, limiting the book’s usefulness and accessibility as a reference text.

The prose is accessible, if often lacking in nuance and support. The book’s attributions are too sporadic, too, with the exception of the acknowledgements page, which covers some sources, but without clarifying which portions of the text they correspond to. In addition, several images appear without being made to connect to the stories they appear near, including computer-generated images of sad-looking farmers and Model A cars.

Delaware from Freeways to E-Ways is a concise, celebratory history of twentieth-century Delaware. AHLIAH BRATZLER (August 14, 2024)

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Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite

Delaware From Freeways to E-ways takes a deep dive into the history, culture, and contributions of the First State of the United States to modern American society and shows how it shaped the course of contemporary America’s social, political, cultural, economic, and technological landscape. Author Dave Tabler delves into the incorporation of businesses in Delaware, where two-thirds of America’s Fortune 500 companies are registered. From the opening of the Smyrna Opera House in 1878 to the First State’s deep connection with nature, as evident in the use of traditional idioms by the local populace, Delaware boasts a rich cultural heritage that shines bright amid the colorful fabric of American society. You will learn about Delaware’s role in the Suffrage movement, the formation of the Delaware State Police, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the du Pont family, and much more.

Using illustrations, photographs, and real-life anecdotes, Dave Tabler covers over 100 years of Delaware’s history and demonstrates its importance in ushering in the digital age in contemporary America. This book is a must-read for history enthusiasts. Whether the topic is about art history or the Lonely Hearts Murders, Delaware From Freeways to E-ways is well-researched and meticulously detailed. From an outsider’s point of view, I’ve learned more about the state of Delaware from this book than any other form of media. Tabler presents the content in a way that’s not only informative to the reader but also engaging and fun to read. After reading this book, you can’t help but develop a deeper appreciation for the men and women who contributed to Delaware’s rise and subsequent influence in bringing forth the digital era. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

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Delaware from Freeways to E-Ways by Dave Tabler is a fascinating tabletop book filled with anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of life in 20th-century Delaware. This captivating collection offers a rough yet engaging overview of the state’s history, culture, and notable figures. The book is packed with intriguing photographs that beautifully illustrate the many vignettes within its pages, bringing these stories to life.

Tabler explores a wide variety of topics, ranging from the accomplishments of famous Delaware baseball player Charles Ruffing to the heroism of Medal of Honor recipient William Nelson. He also delves into the sinister tale of Lonely Heart murderer Inez Brennan. Beyond these fascinating stories, the book provides a window into how Delawareans lived and coped during pivotal historical moments, such as the Great Depression, World War II, and the transformative post-war era.

Delaware, from Freeways to E-Ways delves into many aspects that make the state unique and well-known. For instance, it highlights the state’s reputation as a corporate haven, with the majority of U.S. corporations choosing to register in Delaware due to its business-friendly laws and robust legal framework. Even Elon Musk has opted to register his companies there, at least for now, underscoring Delaware’s appeal to high-profile entrepreneurs. The book also explores the rich history of the Nanticoke Indians, shedding light on their cultural significance and their enduring legacy in Delaware’s history.

Additionally, Tabler examines how the growing Hispanic community has played a pivotal role in reshaping Sussex County, a region now flourishing thanks in part to their contributions. This includes the success of Delaware’s thriving poultry industry, which owes much of its growth to the hard work and dedication of the Hispanic population. And, of course, the article pays homage to one of its most prominent figures, President Joe Biden, who is celebrated as an honored and beloved citizen of the state, reflecting the pride many feel for his achievements and his strong connection to Delaware.

Blending personal stories, historical events, and striking imagery, Tabler’s book explores Delaware’s unique and diverse 20th-century history. This engaging work is both entertaining and informative, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts, Delaware residents, or anyone curious about the First State’s rich heritage. If you’re eager to uncover hidden gems and fascinating facts about Delaware, this book will more than satisfy your curiosity.

In addition to its historical insights, the book celebrates Delaware’s natural beauty. The state’s picturesque landscapes are vividly brought to life, from its pristine beaches and charming coastal towns to tranquil waterways. Whether you’re a lifelong Delawarean or a curious visitor, this book provides an immersive journey that deepens your appreciation for the vibrant history and stunning scenery of the First State.

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