#54-Creating the Porsche 917
"'We hadn't had enough time, you know, long enough to stay with the problem and really understand it." -Test engineer Peter Falk
Hope you are having a great week!
I’m searching for the world's greatest collectibles, and exploring the journey of history's greatest creators.
Here’s a few things I’ve learned over the last few days -
#1 - Creating the Porsche 917
The story of the Porsche 917 is so much more than the amazing car itself -
It’s also a thrilling tale of teamwork, dedication, and most importantly, iteration.
The constant pursuit to improve and perfect the car that would roar past all the competition on the racetrack for almost 2 ½ years… Iteration was the key to the 917,
Even with a newly designed, super-powerful, monster V-12 engine, Porsche’s original design was not great. But the determined engineers and drivers relentlessly tested, studied, and tweaked the initial car until they found the perfect combination.
The formula for success was literally 'hammered out' on the test track through blood, sweat, and tears, and constant trial and error. From the track, and back into the shop, then over and over again, finding the perfect balance…
While learning about the amazing Porsche 917, I stumbled on an incredible book titled, ‘Porsche 917, the Winning Formula,’ by author Peter Morgan, published in 1999.
I had a great time learning about the Porsche 917, one of the most epic rigs ever created, enjoy!
#2 - Legendary Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig, the son of two German immigrants, started as a kid from a lower-middle class neighborhood in Manhattan, and became a New York Yankee legend.
One of the most popular, beloved, respected, and memorable ball players to ever live.
At just 23 years old, New York Yankee manager Miller Huggins noticed something different about Lou Gehrig. Unlike any other player he had seen.
He didn't just smash home runs further than anyone had ever seen. Huggins admitted that Gehrig had already become an influence to the entire team.
Ray Robinson, in his great book, titled, "Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig in His Time," said that Lou had an "aura of dignity and high resolve... by his actions, not his words."
We're going to look at how the legend of Lou Gehrig was created, enjoy!
#3 - The Very First Silver Dollar Ever Created
The amazing 1794 silver dollar is one of the most valuable coins in the world.
Once you hear the story, you could argue it might be the most historic coin ever created.
The 1794 silver dollar was the first “dollar” coin ever produced at the United States Mint.
And looking back now, it was the exclamation mark to the first epic years of the new country, the United States.
With the help of M.H. Bolender, "The Dean of American Numismatics," I explored the creators story of the silver dollars with his incredible book -
'The United States Early Silver Dollars From 1794 to 1803,' published in 1950.
And it took M.H. Bolender 40 years to write the book!
What he considered the climax of his 70 year coin collecting career.
"This work has taken much of my time and money, and I do not now wonder that others have hesitated to attempt it. However, its preparation has brought me a great deal of pleasure, and if the book proves to be helpful and useful to fellow collectors and dealers, I shall be graciously compensated.” - Milferd Henry Bolender, Freeport, Illinois April 10, 1950
I’m searching for the world's greatest collectibles, and exploring the journey of history's greatest creators.
Let me know what stories you would like to hear next, I’d love any suggestions.
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Thanks for reading, and have a great week!