DOWNEY - Gerald Blackburn, author of the retrospective book "Downey's Aerospace History 1947-1999," will be at the Borders Express inside Stonewood Center on Nov. 21 from noon to 3 p.m.The book, published by Arcadia Publishing, includes more than 200 photographs of what has been called "one of aerospace history's most sacred sites." Wealthy industrialist E.M. Smith began the history when he purchased a portion of the Huynan Ranch in 1929. His company, EMSCO Aircraft, was the first of what would become a memorable list of pioneers in aviation and space. The story of the site's aerospace history, where engineers and scientists designed and developed the technology that took man to the moon and established a permanent presence in space, extends from North American Aviation's tenancy in 1947 to the site closure in 1999. Blackburn spent 35 years at the Downey site as an engineer and project manager with North American Aviation and Boeing. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. A portion of the book's proceeds are being donated to the Aerospace Legacy Foundation.

********** Published: November 13, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 30