Capt. Bill Eddy (LaPorte County Historical Society photo)
LaPorte County has boasted its share of innovators, and in April one of them in particular — Captain Bill Eddy — will be celebrated with a special exhibit at the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum.
April is Innovation Month, and Eddy had his share of groundbreaking creations, from being a pioneer in early television to inventing cruise control.
Born in New York in 1902, Bill Crawford Eddy later resided in Michigan City. He was a successful Naval officer, engineer, television producer, cartoonist, inventor — the list goes on. After attending the Naval Academy, he joined the submarine service and developed equipment for tracking ships and enemy submarines. In 1941, he helped set up WBKB, which later became ABC’s Channel 7. After the war, he set up a business that developed and used aircraft radar for many purposes locally and internationally. His inventions include, besides cruise control, the endless loop cassette tape and the kaleidoscope.
A display honoring Capt. Eddy is featured at the museum for the entire month of April. The museum, 2405 Indiana Ave., LaPorte, is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10-4:30. Admission is just a few dollars for adults and free for kids under 12. For more information, call 219-324-6767 and visit www.laportecountyhistory.org. The facility is accessible to those with disabilities.