John Henry
| The name or term "John" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see John (disambiguation). |
A 20-pound hammer right in his hand.
Thought he was mighty fine;
John Henry sunk a fo'teen foot,
The steam drill only made nine,
The steam drill only made nine.traditional
John Henry was a steel-driving man in the 19th century, noted for being one of the best in the country (if not the world). He was highly respected by his fellow railmen, not to mention the Autobots.
Fiction
Hearts of Steel
Rumblin' almost caused an earthquake.
John Henry's hammering awoke Bumblebee from millennia of stasis lock, and Bumblebee was inspired by him to take the form of a steel-driving locomotive. Hearts of Steel #1 Henry initially resented the automated "steam drill" as a piece of job-stealing automation. Bumblebee then approached him in robot mode and explained that he merely wanted to perform a useful function. Now that Henry saw Bumblebee as a person, he respected his work ethic, and they became close friends. Hearts of Steel #2 When Bumblebee announced that he and the Autobots were leaving to battle the Decepticons, Henry promptly insisted on coming along, too. Hearts of Steel #3 He participated in the high-speed battle against the New York-bound Astrotrain, playing a key role in the Autobots' victory. Hearts of Steel #4
2005 IDW continuity
John Henry's great-great grandchild, Jaylin Henry, remembered his ancestor's encounter with a "metal guy." Primeless, Part 1
Rescue Bots cartoon
Workin' for the Canaan land.
Cody Burns told the Rescue Bots about the story of John Henry to try to cheer them up when the MorBot threatened to steal their thunder. He left out the ending, which Boulder later read up on. The Other Doctor
