January 2016

Call him the old-school Donald Trump: Elwood native Wendell Willkie won the GOP presidential nomination in 1940 by emphasizing his business cred as a CEO. Merrie Melodies used Willkie as a punchline a few years later, when Bugs Bunny said, “IT AIN’T VENDELL VILLKIE!”

From Leslie Knope to Jimmy Chitwood, a breakdown of the state’s best-known roles.

“There is a Midwestern calmness, a stability of outlook, very well exemplified by Dick [Lugar] and many, many others, that goes over well in Washington,” says longtime Indiana congressman Lee Hamilton.

Cyclist Marshall “Major” Taylor, one of the barrier-breakers honored in IM’s Indiana Bicentennial coverage, was the first African-American athlete to win a world championship outside of boxing and to set world records.

I bucked up and responded “yes” to an invitation for my 50th high-school reunion, figuring it would likely be my last.

You’re welcome for… Prozac. Fluoride Toothpaste. Drunkometer. Transistor Radio. Ball Jar. Headlights. Cruise Control. Push Mower. Dr. Scholl’s. Limestone. NYT Crossword Puzzles. Sudoku. Chuck Taylors.

The past comes alive at these historic spots-of-significance around the state—some of which are getting a little lift from Bicentennial projects.

Ripple Effects: Cummins goes global—and brings the world to Indiana.

Ripple Effects: One Purdue University grad’s apprenticeship under the first-ever aviators sets the course for an out-of-this-world legacy.

Is it just us, or do all roads lead to Indiana’s—and the world’s—most famous racetrack? From Hawaii to Nazareth, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway leaves its tracks.

Once known as Tinker Street, Herron-Morton’s main artery makes a creative comeback. Take an interactive tour of 16th Street.

Starting now, Hoosiers will mark two centuries of Indiana history with a yearlong party. But what, exactly, are we commemorating?

State climatologist Dev Niyogi anticipates we’ll become adept at customizing our climate, from urban design and cloud seeding to new technologies. So put on your thinking caps, kids.

Grow your ode to the bearded state! As Fishers shop Vardagen reminded us with “The Bearded State” tee, we’ve compiled our Indiana Beard Hall of Fame.

On the strength of groundbreaking faculty and famous alumni, Herman B Wells makes Indiana University into an academic powerhouse. The ripple effects follow from a Champaign-to-Bloomington transfer.