Day Fourteen

We started out the day at the SC Johnson facility in Racine, WI. It was a Frank Lloyd Wright design. There was a tour which lasted an hour and a half. The guide was very good. That always helps. Part of the facility is a research Tower which housed their laboratories for quite a while. The guide took us inside so we could have a look at the labs. It was interesting for us since we spent innumerable hours in laboratories during college, grad school and employment. To me it was a little claustrophobic. Rather than windows, there are pyrex tubes. Apparently FLW utilized those to prevent seeing out while admitting lots of light. He wanted to have the buildings in the country where there would be a nice view, but SC Johnson said they would be built at the facility in downtown Racine so he obstructed the view so the scientists didn't have to look out on a city.

Next stop was the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lisle, IL. This is my 50th high school reunion in Downers Grove. Classmates started dribbling in and we sat in the lobby quaffing adult beverages and then decided to go out for some dinner. Eight of us headed to Portillos for Italian beef and hot dogs. It was fun. Many more activities in the next three days. Life is good.

Today's photo is of the SC Johnson Research Tower in Racine. Each window section is a two floor lab unit. The upper is on a mezzanine of sorts. Interesting design, but tough to work in.