“The Boilermaker” is a statue here at Purdue among many others symbolizing what Purdue is all about. This statue is 18 feet tall, weighs about 5,400, and is made of bronze. The statue was dedicated in honor of Eugene R. Grotnes and his family for their strong ties to Purdue and was dedicated in memory of Grotnes’ father, Carl. Former Purdue President, Martin C. Jischke said, “The Grotnes family represents the same roll-up-your-sleeves and get-the-job-done attitude that ‘The Boilermaker’ depicts. It is this tireless work ethic and intergenerational Purdue pride that we will celebrate.” The statue cost about $500,000 and took almost two years to complete!
According to Purdue News, Eugene Grotnes of Atlanta, Georgia graduated from Purdue with a mechanical engineering degree in 1951. His father, Carl C. Grotnes, was born in in Chicago, Illinois in 1895. Together Carl and his father, Charles joined in business to develop some of the first machines for producing rims for the automobile, truck, and agricultural industries. In the 1940’s more than 90 percent of rims in the United States were produced on their machines! Carl continued to invent new machines as the times changed and was recognized by Rice University in Houston for his contribution to the industry.
With every new statue that I look at, its amazing to see just how much history is behind it. Its really cool to see just how prestigious and world-renowned Purdue actually is!
2 comments:
I really like this blog. You did a good job at catching my attention, and keeping it. The historical significance that you wrote about also helps to enhance how cool this statue truly is. I had no idea the statue cost so much, or was as heavy as it is. The statue is something I see all the time, and never even take a second glance at. Now, when I walk by, I'm going to make sure that I pay attention to it. I like things with a historical background, and with a campus as old as Purdue, I'm sure there are plenty more for all of us to see, and hopefully read about.
unfortunately pictures just don't do the statue justice. The thing is huge!
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