One of the most notable multi-generational stories of Indianapolis as home is that of the Vonneguts, a 150-plus-year history that includes the contributions of entrepreneurs, architects, community leaders and servants, scientists, and writers, whose works live on in the city today.
While working in his 20s in a sawmill in Columbus, he realized that workers could not control the speed of their saws, so he invented a variable-speed transmission.
Ovid Butler was a major figure in the history of higher education in Indianapolis, who more than any other single person deserves credit for founding Butler University.
Schliemann acquired wealth in a variety of fields, including the dye business and military contracting.
In 1879, Dr. William N. Wishard, then 27 years old, became superintendent of Indianapolis City Hospital, an institution so little regarded that it lacked city water and gas.
Visiting her offspring in school, Bacon encountered children who were growing up in difficult circumstances, and she felt a calling to dedicate herself to improving the conditions of their lives.
In 1916, Charleston and the ABCs won what was then billed as the “championship of colored baseball,” defeating the Chicago American Giants.
Burger Chef became one of the fastest-growing chains in the country, surpassed only by McDonald’s.
He lost his first teaching post when he insisted on teaching geological ages, which some interpreted as contradicting the Bible.
Carl Fisher joined with other businessmen to create the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909.
Baskett is best known as Uncle Remus in Disney’s 1946 film “Song of the South.”
The German architect who designed the Soldiers and Sailors Monument also drew up plans for the three largest war monuments in Germany.
He grew up near Indiana Avenue, a jazz hotbed, and then helped bring the genre into the mainstream.
The Tech High School graduate created the iconic LOVE sculpture and designed the similar HOPE logo for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.
His 1987 best-seller stirred controversy in academic circles.
The Shortridge and IU grad was half of the writing team behind one of the most popular television series of all time.
At a time when Black Americans had few job options, DeBow dreamed of flying and beat the odds to achieve his dream.
Evans, whose work can be found on one of the windows at Indianapolis International Airport, was a teacher and peacemaker.
He is remembered today as one of the principal builders of Indiana diesel-engine manufacturer Cummins, a worldwide religious leader, and the man who made Columbus, Indiana, America’s sixth most architecturally significant city.
He convinced Indiana legislators that properly educating Hoosiers was worth the investment.
