Last week, our CEO Ben Keesey attended the the Rewards for Justice Bill signing ceremony in the oval office. It was a huge step towards removing Joseph Kony and his top commanders from the battlefield. Yet after the initial joy and relief, there was something I just couldn’t shake. As I sat there admiring the photo of Ben next to the Commander in Chief, all I could think was, “Boy, the President sure does have a nice desk.”
Power suit. Power tie. Power desk.
My mind began to wander (as it often does) thinking of all the powerful people who have sat behind the desk and just where exactly this magnificently carved piece of timber came from. I recalled the film National Treasure: Book of Secrets directed by a hero of ours, Jon Turteltaub, and starring America’s own national treasure, Nicolas Cage. In the movie, the desk is placed front and center in solving one of the greatest mysteries ever. And so with this piece of thespian gold via Mr. Cage, I set out on a quest to learn more.
Nic enjoys a nice piece of craftsmanship as much as the next person.
Turns out, the current President’s desk was constructed from the remains of the HMS Resolute, an abandoned British Arctic Exploration ship discovered by Americans. It became lodged in pack ice while trying to find the Northwest Passage through the arctic and was left behind by its captain and crew. Refitted and with a fresh coat of whatever ships are covered in, it was sent back to the Queen of England as a token of goodwill and friendship. In turn, she had the desk commissioned and sent to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880.
The British Naval Franklin Search Expedition: H.M.S. Resolute, Assistance, Intrepid and Pioneer wintering in the Arctic, 1850-51
Since then, the Resolute desk has been used in the oval office or private study by every POTUS with the exception of Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Ford. It was first moved into the oval office by John F. Kennedy, and, while some interior decorating has seen it moved around a bit, the desk has remained largely in the oval office since Jimmy Carter. It has been modified two times – once to install the middle panel to hide Franklin D. Roosevelt’s leg braces, and the other time in order to raise the desk to a higher standing. Fun fact: the presidential seal on the panel is one of only a handful in the White House where the eagle’s head points towards the arrows of war, as opposed to the olive branches of peace. Write that down. Now just think of all the important legislation and the occasional crossword that have been inked on top of that polished english oak. Decisions that have changed the course of civil rights equality, space exploration, war and peace. It makes the action my desk sees seem pretty darn bush league.
CEO Ben Keesey admiring the english oak luster of the Resolute desk.
Over its lifetime, it has seen countless crises, important decisions, and even a few scandals en route to becoming one of the most iconic pieces of furniture, easily outclassing Mr. Rodger’s rocking chair and King Tut’s bed (err, tomb.) It has appeared in numerous photo-ops, most notably the photo of JFK hard at work while his son, John Jr. peeks out from the panel below. I like to think he was wedging bubble gum under there just to give it some character.
JFK and John Jr. working hard or hardly working?
The desk is both a symbol of power and diplomacy. Not to mention, it was crucial in helping Benjamin Gates discover the President’s Book of Secrets (another National Treasure plug) and uncover the truth behind the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Still waiting for the President to return my calls before confirming that last bit. All in all, it’s one pretty sweet piece of office decor.
An inscription on the Resolute desk from Queen Victoria.
There she is – the Resolute Desk in all her glory.
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