Jim Edwards

Situated directly west of Chicago is Batavia, Illinois, world famous as the home of Fermilab, a center of nuclear research that hosts scientists from all over the world. Few people realize that this city has had a long history of leadership in the development of energy resources. In Batavia we endeavor to explore that history, with a look at power from windmills to power plants. Also part of the fabric of Batavia's past are the community leaders who...

Elgin was named by a city founder, James T. Gifford, after his favorite hymn. The city shares its name with 20 cities in 15 states and 8 countries. Elgin is situated on the banks of the Fox River, 35 miles northwest of Chicago, the city with which Elgin had thriving business exchanges in agricultural and industrial goods. The city�s world-wide fame, for the most part, has come from its watch factory and Mr. Gail Borden�s milk company. Pianos,...

Since the late 1800s, Chicago has been a mecca for aviation. Chicago's Octave Chanute kept the skies filled with revolutionary gliders and his expertise in aeronautics contributed to the Wright Brothers' success. Chicago: City of Flight tells the story of aviation in the city with exciting chapters on early "birdmen," the birth of Chicago as a major airmail center, the spectacular chills and thrills of international airports and airplane manufacturers,...