On May 14, 1888, in Ottumwa, Iowa, Archie Alexander was born to Price Alexander and Mary Hamilton. Archie's father was a janitor, and they lived in a poor town, set aside for African-Americans. No one expected this young aspiring African-American to overcome all of the obstacles, including prejudices and poverty, to become one of the greatest engineers that this country has ever seen.

Archie moved with his family to the outskirts of Des Moines, and he was able to attend a school, open to both black and white students, at the age of eleven. After graduating Oak Park High school, he was determined to continue his education, even though his family could not afford it. He took a part-time, poor paying job, and his parents helped out as much as they could. Through all of their hard work, Archie Alexander was able to attend Highland Park College, then moved on...