Resolute Desk
Resolute Desk  
Podcast: History Dispatches
Published On: Fri Nov 14 2025
Description: The Resolute Desk has been used by American Presidents since 1880, and resided in the Oval Office for nearly 50 years. So, where did this stout wooden desk come from? And where did it get its formidable name? You might be surprised that all those answers rest with a British exploration vessel from the 1850s. This is the story of the Resolute Desk. Sources https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/treasures-of-the-white-house-resolute-desk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resolute_desk https://www.thoughtco.com/the-resolute-desk-4121120 Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Photograph_of_President_Reagan_working_at_his_desk_in_the_Oval_Office_-_NARA_-_198593_(cropped).jpg History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices