John Henry also was a giant – 33 pounds at birth, according to the legend – who represented the growth of the railroads in the United States. He is famous for winning in a race against a steam-powered hammer, only to die victorious with his hammer in his hand. Although there are several versions of the tale, it is generally accepted that John Henry is a black man who worked as a steel-driver during the expansion period of railroads. Whether or not any part of the tales are true, he became an important symbol of the working class.