VALIMET, Inc. and Zucrow Laboratories Purdue University: kicking off the new Academic Year in a Frank Lloyd Wright theme.
Our collaboration has grown over the years. That’s worth celebrating with some inspirational time together.
For those who may not know, Zucrow Labs graduates have helped design the Space Shuttle, Blue Origin, SpaceX and Anduril’s rocket engines and propellants.
I had the honor to host Professor Steve Son and a selected group of his collaborators at SAMARA, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house that is nested on a slope in West Lafayette, Indiana.
The students were invited as well, but they were too busy with meetings – and they take them seriously.
As we walked up to SAMARA, I invited us all to leave any daily struggle behind and be open to great beauty. Nathan, an excellent tour guide, unveiled the features of the house, relating them to the broader context of Wright’s vision. I could see amazed expressions and smiles among the guests.
Wright did the magic.
After enjoying something so uplifting, we all felt better and sat to debrief in the living room.
Prof. Son shared some of the experiences that, since childhood, brought him to become a researcher in Rocket Science. Things that stay in SAMARA – and that seemed as new to his team as they were to me.
Having read a lot about Wright over the years, I discussed how his Fellowship resembled an Academy, where acolytes worked “with” the master rather than simply “for” him. Not unlike what happens at Zucrow Labs.
Wright went through six major stylistic changes over the course of his career.
He brought new languages to American clients — not always appreciated at first sight.
Steve commented: “Of course: innovators deal with friction”. And looking around at each of his ‘kids’: “We don’t want to repeat the past…”
You’ll hear more about VALIMET & PURDUE. Aluminum powders for Propellants and Energetic Materials are our passion and mission.
For now, let me say that I deeply enjoyed seeing the engagement and the enthusiasm of Prof. Tim Manship (my co-conspirator for this day), Prof. Diane Collard, Dr.-to-be Rebekah T., Prof. Ryan Houim.
The absolute treat was to see how Frank Lloyd Wright resonated with Prof. Son as a transformational leader.
What I didn’t know, is that it also happened to be Steve’s birthday.
Luigi Alzati
VP Sales and Marketing
#RocketScience #Aluminum #Energetics #Propellants Purdue University, SpaceX, BlueOrigin, Anduril, #SpaceIndustry #RocketEngines Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Frank Lloyd Wright Trust