Purdue News
Purdue News
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March 15, 2004 'Wings of Their Dreams' set for third printingWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University Press has begun a third printing of "Wings of Their Dreams: Purdue in Flight," a book that chronicles the history of Purdue's contributions to aviation and space exploration. The book, written by Purdue senior writer John B. Norberg, was released in November and copies of the second edition are still available in stores. "The response to this book has surprised me," said Thomas Bacher, director of Purdue University Press, "Demand during Christmastime snowballed, and we reprinted immediately. Not only does the success show how interested Purdue's alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends are in the history of the university, but how interested the general reader is in a compelling history told well." "Wings of Their Dreams: Purdue in Flight" tells that history through the personal stories of Purdue alumni and faculty members who have played large roles in the advancement of aviation. Besides well-known pioneers, like Amelia Earhart, Gus Grissom, Neil Armstrong and Eugene Cernan, the book chronicles lesser-known aviation heroes, including: • J. Clifford Turpin, a 1909 Purdue graduate who not only helped the Wright brothers improve the engine design of their early aircraft, but also gained fame as one of the first members of their flight team. • George Welch, a Purdue alumnus and Air Force pilot who shot down more Japanese airplanes during the attack on Pearl Harbor than anyone else. His story was told in the movies "Pearl Harbor" and "Tora, Tora, Tora." While officially the second man to break the sound barrier, many people consider him to have been the first. • Jimmie Johnson, a Purdue graduate who became one of the nation's first test pilots, and his wife, Trudy, one of the first women to receive a pilot's license. The book also features interviews with all of Purdue's surviving astronauts, including the first and last men to walk on the moon, Armstrong and Cernan. "Many people know that Purdue has played a large role in the advancement of flight, but I don't think many people grasp quite how large that role has been," Norberg said. "If you look at almost any important development in aviation over its 100-year history, someone with a Purdue connection is there, moving us forward." Bacher said that although the book is being reprinted, copies are still available for purchase. The book can be bought at bookstores, through online retailers or by calling Purdue University Press at (800) 247-6553. The book is 397 pages long plus notes and lists at $29.95. Writer: Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073, mholsapple@purdue.edu Sources: John B. Norberg, (765) 496-7783, jbnorberg@purdue.edu Thomas Bacher, (765) 494-8251, bacher@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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