David Edward was born in Lafayette, Indiana back in 1871 to George and Susanna. He attended primary school. His parents took him on a steamboat ride, he made his way to the engine, thus begins the rest of the story. He was fascinated with the machinery. During his senior year of high school his path was set. In 1889, he enrolled at Purdue University focusing on a degree in engineering.
Graduating from Purdue as a mechanical engineer in 1893 he set about inventing some things we still use to this day, so let’s get to it. His first invention was the automotive steering gear. He raised money to build the Purdue Memorial Union, a football stadium, then helped to build the Lambert Fieldhouse. All in all, he held 88 patents involving building materials and automotive mechanisms. He was once quoted as saying “I’m hoping the time may never come when I’m not identified with Purdue.
What you may not know about David Edward Ross is that his dream came true, he died in 1943. He is buried northwest of the Slayter Center of Performing Arts. He left his estate totaling nearly 3 million to the university. Until tomorrow I wish you happiness with smiles and laughter all day long
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