Author Description

They were born in 1903 at the beginning of the century of innovation. They were Boyhood friends from the age of seven. Blood brothers could not have had a closer friendship as these two boys. One was a fatalist who was destined to great things he thought, gifted with good intuition, superb creativity and endless enthusiasm. There was never anything too large for him to do. Whatever he did, however, would always end in failure. His name was Preston Thomas Tucker. The other was quite the opposite he left nothing to fate. He believed that the life you made for yourself was the one you received. He depended on reason, hard work and faithfulness. His name was Antonio Peligro. To an outsider it would seem they had nothing in common. What drew them together, however, was their interest in automobiles. In the end whether by fate or freedom the one would plan for the automobile of the century. The others endeavors would bring fire to Japan ending the war. Whether by fate of freedom both would make their marks on the world working in the largest factory ever constructed: "Kilo-quad," near where Route 66 meets Cicero Ave in Chicago's West Lawn neighborhood. Little do they know that this square mile aircraft engine factory has gremlins of the 8-legged variety? As Tony's Dodge company is pressed into service during WW2 to construct he Wright 3350-r, a highly problematic experimental engine. It was hoped this engine would power the B-29 aircraft. He is in over his head, besides the aircraft problems people are getting sick and dying after visiting the underground portions o the factory. Fortunately his friend had experience with aircraft engines and eventually helps him to perfect the 3350-r and miraculously the engines are completed below cost in what would later be called "the most eminently successful endeavor in military industrial history," even eclipsing the Manhattan Project. During the war Preston is working on the turrets for the B-29 with his friend Ned Jacks who is an