Moon Machines - My I.L.C. story

I was watching the ' Moon Machines ' episode about the development of
the Apollo space suits by ILC in Dover, DE.

It reminded me of my visit to ILC in the early 1990's.

I'll try to make this story short.

I was born in 1969. Growing up I was always a space nut. My dad was
an Air Force pilot. I wanted to be a pilot ... but well ... ended up
driving a truck for a living. ( duh ... great move on my part I
know ). There I was ( around 1994 ) depressed ... weeks out on the
road ... long ways away from my Texas home ... in Delaware. ( and
nowhere near going home either )

My company told me to go to this company called ILC in Dover, DE and
take the load to Kentucky. I'd never heard of ILC. So I get to the
loading dock at ILC in Dover ... and discover that ... " Hey, this is
the place where they made the Apollo space suits ! "

Turns out I was picking up a load of gas mask that were going to an
Army depot in Kentucky.
The man loading my truck was extremely nice ... and he was surprised
that I knew all about the Apollo program. ( I wasn't just another
dumb truck driver after all ! )

He gave me a little tour of the factory that day. ( yes ... it was
little old ladies sitting at seamstress tables )

I was a happy camper on that trip. ( small world )


Chris