Cleveland Leads the Way Speaker Series

Explore the many ways that Cleveland is the home for new discoveries and developments as host Frank Piccirillo interviews experts in three fields who will share the history Cleveland’s role in various industries.

1:30 p.m.
Cleveland's Role in Developing Medical Devices – Brian L. Davis
Cleveland has played a major role in developing life-saving technologies ranging from the heart-lung machine and cine-coronary angiography to functional electrical stimulation for treating patients with spinal cord injuries. These kinds of breakthroughs have led to a thriving biomedical industry in NE Ohio.

2:30 p.m.
The Grand Experiment: How Cleveland Women Helped Transform the U.S. Army – Molly Sampson
In May 1942, the U.S. Army undertook a grand experiment—enlisting women. This presentation explores the stories of Cleveland women who served in the Women’s Army Corps during WWII, highlighting their vital wartime roles and how their service reshaped views on gender, race, and duty in America.

3:30 p.m.
How the military aircraft racing phenomenon took off in Cleveland - John May
After World War I, Cleveland entrepreneurs were eager to demonstrate the capabilities of aircraft and flight technology to the public. Cleveland’s role in the spectacle of competitive high-risk/high-reward air racing is a significant part of the city’s rich history. This presentation will explore how Cleveland embraced the promise of this innovative industry and helped spur the development of civil aviation.

Free. ADA Accessible.

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