Biographies

Donald Nyrop was an aviation lawyer and federal regulator before becoming president of Northwest Airlines in 1954. His long executive career encompassed fleet modernization, strict cost control, and a disruptive pilots’ strike in 1978.

Edward John Noble did not invent Life Savers. After he and J. Roy Allen acquired Clarence Crane’s candy business, packaging and manufacturing improvements helped build the brand. Noble later worked in federal aviation administration and broadcasting.

Edwin H. Land turned experiments with polarized light into a research company and helped bring instant photography to consumers. His life also encompassed color science, national-security advice, corporate controversies, and an independent research institute.

Lester M. “Les” Alberthal Jr. was chief executive when EDS became independent of General Motors in 1996. His career also encompassed international expansion, a changing corporate culture and a difficult final period at the company.

J.R. Simplot left school at 14 and built an Idaho agricultural enterprise that became a major McDonald’s supplier. His story reaches from wartime food production and frozen fries to Micron financing, legal disputes and civic giving.

H. Lamm helped establish Subaru of America as an independent U.S. importer in 1968. His career followed the brand from its troubled first car to nationwide growth and a 1990 buyout, then continued in automotive-related businesses.

John Pitcairn Jr. began railroad work at fourteen and later co-founded Pittsburgh Plate Glass. His story also takes in religious education at Bryn Athyn and his campaign against vaccination.

Malcolm McLean grew a North Carolina trucking venture into a major carrier before backing the shipping-container system that changed international freight. His career also included resistance, a costly later failure, and a final return to shipping.

Ernest H. Volwiler rose from research chemist to president and chairman of Abbott Laboratories. His career traces the expansion of synthetic drug research, the demands of wartime production, and later corporate responsibilities.

Ernest Gallo co-founded E. & J. Gallo Winery with his brother Julio in 1933 and became its business, sales, marketing, and distribution leader, helping build a national wine company while navigating labor, regulatory, and family conflicts.