The Erie Canal was built by laborers and engineers that had little to no experience in building canals. They learned by traveling to England, reading books or learning on the job. But, did you know that the canal also offered a means for the founders of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to meet? Their names were Stephen Van Rensselaer and Amos Eaton. Many RPI graduates later worked on expansions of the canal. Fun Fact: Garnet Douglas Baltimore was the first African American graduate of RPI and wo