All -
I highly recommend reading the first in a series on Langstroth's biography, history, inventions, et c. written by Marc Hoffman w/Matt Redmon as researcher, published in Jan 2010 issue of Bee Culture magazine. It's fabulous and you won't want to wait to read the next installation(s).
Way to kick off the Langstroth Bicentennial year, guys! Looking forward to hearing you speak on Jan 21 in Philadelphia. All are welcome (details previously posted on our group discussions).
Suzanne