Author Archives: Jeff

Jul 24

Lincoln Highway bridge project has two options

The 1919 Army Lincoln Highway convoy crossed from Cedar Rapids to Marshalltown 100 years ago today. Its route would have included the then-four-year-old bridge on the east side of Tama. Now, work on preserving that bridge is nearing financial and construction … Continue reading

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Jul 23

The promotional importance of the Lincoln Highway convoy

This week is the 100th anniversary of the Army convoy on the Lincoln Highway across Iowa. The Iowa DOT, quoting the Eisenhower presidential museum, says the primary goal was “an exercise to test the ability of the military to move … Continue reading

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Jul 22

When Floyd County voted for good roads

Floyd County joined the good-roads movement on July 22, 1919, when it voted by about a 3-2 margin for hard-surfaced roads. This vote would contribute to the future US 18 being continuous concrete from Algona to Charles City by the … Continue reading

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Jul 19

Apollo 11 at 50: The end

October 3, 2013: An artist’s rendition of Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon, with his face visible, at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Armstrong died in 2012 and was buried at sea. Only one-third of … Continue reading

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Jul 18

Apollo 11 at 50: The command module

June 28, 2009: Apollo 11 command module “Eagle” at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC. The heat shield after re-entry kind of looks like the surface of the moon, doesn’t it? The command module is the one piece … Continue reading

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Jul 17

Apollo 11 at 50: A different kind of timeline

Consider the following. July 20, 1869: The Transcontinental Railroad has been complete for 70 days. July 20, 1919: The U.S. Army convoy taking the Lincoln Highway across the United States, “the largest aggregation of motor vehicles ever started on a trip … Continue reading

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Jul 16

Apollo 11 at 50: Mission Control

December 30, 2005: Apollo-era Mission Control at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Reused from this blog post. Associated Press: Restored Mission Control comes alive 50 years after Apollo Meticulously recreated down to the tan carpeting, gray-green wallpaper, white ceiling panels, woven-cushioned … Continue reading

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Jul 15

Apollo 11 at 50: The beginning

May 29, 2009: Outside a low-rise midcentury government building, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Iowa connection: James Van Allen. I have been to just about every major installation related to the Space Race that isn’t in California. At both Cape Canaveral and … Continue reading

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Jul 12

How about a Fair-a-thon on IPTV?

August 14, 2014: Iowa Public Television hosts a governor debate at the Iowa State Fair. Please, no questions about the blogger’s fair priorities or the practicality of wearing suits in August. Being a Friend of Iowa Public Television doesn’t mean … Continue reading

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Jul 11

Psst…want a black market brownie?

The Newton school district has banned homemade snacks and treats for fear of “allergies”, reports the Newton Daily News. Forget fireworks; now the Iowa Legislature needs to legalize bake sales. In unrelated news, something special may or may not have … Continue reading

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