Every day, Chautauquans walk the walk of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford — literally, in their footsteps, as the two were good friends and spent many hours together on the grounds. It was a friendship of two great — if imperfect — people.
Both will appear through the vehicle of one man, Hank Fincken, an historical monactor and a performer with a distinctively Chautauqua experience, who will bring to life Edison and Ford in a presentation at 3:30 p.m. today in the Hall of Christ as part of the Oliver Archives Heritage Lecture Series.
If history were to repeat itself, it would be like this, Fincken said. For more than 20 years, he has toured as a living history performer at educational institutions, cultural events, libraries and at many Chautauquas. His performance today is his first time at the mother Chautauqua in New York state.
“I am excited about this gig,” Fincken said.
Fincken prepares each of his presentations according to the interests of the group to whom he is presenting.
According to reviews of his work, Fincken is provocative, humorous, relevant and entertaining. His website writes he creates “art wearing a humanities tuxedo and a spinning bow tie.”
For this audience, Fincken will perform both Edison and Ford, a combination in a single performance that he has not attempted before. The presentation will include a screening of a newsreel clip of Ford and Edison filmed at Chautauqua.
“They admired each other tremendously,” Fincken said.
Aside from their inventing and tinkering, “I think there were many things they agreed on,” he said. “They liked the same kind of music. Both overcame significant odds in their lives. People called Ford ‘Crazy Henry.’ Edison failed more than he succeeded.”
When he was younger, Fincken served in the Peace Corps. He wrote a novel. He did a lot of theater in college. An early performance of Johnny Appleseed opened some doors for him, Fincken said. He now has eight characters in his repertoire.
“Studying history is to see how values change all the time,” he said. “Sometimes, we condemn a man for the bad and forget about the good.”
For people like Ford and Edison “progress was technology,” Fincken said. They hoped technology would lead to harmony and peace. 20 years, he has toured as a living history performer at educational institutions, cultural events, libraries and at many Chautauquas. His performance today is his first time at the mother Chautauqua in New York state.
“I am excited about this gig,” Fincken said.
Fincken prepares each of his presentations according to the interests of the group to whom he is presenting. According to reviews of his work, Fincken is provocative, humorous, relevant and entertaining. His website writes he creates “art wearing a humanities tuxedo and a spinning bow tie.”
For this audience, Fincken will perform both Edison and Ford, a combination in a single performance that he has not attempted before. The presentation will include a screening of a newsreel clip of Ford and Edison filmed at Chautauqua.
The Chautauquan Daily 
