John Henry

John Henry is a legendary American folk figure symbolizing strength, perseverance, and human determination. He is said to have been a steel driver who worked on railroad construction, famously challenging a steam-powered hammer to prove that human effort could succeed against technology. According to the story, John Henry's strength allowed him to outwork the machine, but he ultimately died from exhaustion, highlighting themes of resilience and the human spirit confronting industrial progress. The legend celebrates the dignity of labor and the value of human skill in the face of technological change.