Distinguished Professor of History and Environmental Studies at Penn State Altoona Brian Black shares his new book, Ike's Road Trip: How Eisenhower's 1919 Convoy Paved the Way for the Roads We Travel. Ike's Road Trip details the cross-country journey of then 28-year-old Army lieutenant colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower leading a military convoy to test the nation's roads, an experience that shaped his views on infrastructure and influenced the future Interstate Highway System. He and his colleagues made the coast-to-coast journey in some of the world’s first petroleum-powered vehicles and planted the dream of connecting America with roads. Published in late 2024, the book explores how this formative event, which highlighted the need for better roads for military and civilian use, connected America and foreshadowed Eisenhower's later role in national infrastructure development.

• This event is free and open to the public; no registration required.
• Click here to view Ike's Road Trip in the library's catalog, including digital editions.