American Icon. Social Arbiter. Delicious Cob Salad.
These are some of the titles used to describe Ryan G. Lancaster, internet professor of history. After graduating from American Military University in 2014 with a Masters in American History, he wanted to give back to the historical community at large (also, actually use his degree for something besides a decoration on his wall). Thus was born the Reasonably Priced Time Machine, a web resource hub of history and historical thought. He updates the page regularly to get content out to intellectually starved and unwashed masses.
These are some of the titles used to describe Ryan G. Lancaster, internet professor of history. After graduating from American Military University in 2014 with a Masters in American History, he wanted to give back to the historical community at large (also, actually use his degree for something besides a decoration on his wall). Thus was born the Reasonably Priced Time Machine, a web resource hub of history and historical thought. He updates the page regularly to get content out to intellectually starved and unwashed masses.
Humble Beginnings
For as long as he can remember he has been infatuated with history. Some of his earliest memories were thumbing through a National Geographic and seeing photographs of the sunk and dilapidated Titanic, and the plaster mold of a dog chained to a wall at Pompeii, circa 79CE. Questions began to rise. Where did this dog come from? Why did he die? Did dogs have ghosts? What was for dinner (he was like 5 years old)? This fascination has led him to view and discover the world differently. As a student of history, Lancaster feels a sense of empowerment that comes with its unique perspective. We are all connected to each other through history and he uses this basic principle to guide him with his life’s choices and decisions. As a historian, is given the daunting task of not only preserving our past, but allowing mankind to truly know itself. Since receiving his Masters, he has continued to work in public schools in Michigan and public museums.
The Future of History?
Lancaster seems to have a penchant for American history, as it is what encapsulates all he has been learning about the last few years. But there is much more to learn. He enjoys a good mystery and the search for the answer. But instead of being intimidated by ignorance he is willing to rise to the challenge of understanding the parts of the past which have been hidden or lost. The quest for the truth is what fuels his fervor. He wishes to instill this in a younger generation through the academic process and within the confines of a classroom. But the definition of the classroom has changed. Through the advent of the information age, academics has been handed down from the private universities and given to the plebeians, not unlike the spark of fire to Prometheus. We have is the arrival of the smart phone the power of the gods at our finger tips (to which most use to look only at cat pictures). The World Wide Web is the school, and he wants to be your professor.