Cummings Research Park began as an idea by the architect of America’s race to the moon and a land purchase by two leaders of an engineering firm who wanted to carry out the vision.

It is now the second largest research park in the country and fourth largest in the world. It is home 320 companies and counting, 26,000 employees and 13,000 students from kindergarten to doctoral level.

It is, according to Executive Director Erin Koshut, the second largest economic driver in the region, just behind Redstone Arsenal. And that’s not a coincidence.

Dr. Werner Von Braun talked about “a place where companies that were supporting the Arsenal could be located around each other,” Koshut said.

Milton Cummings and Joe Moquin, the CEO and COO of Brown Engineering, carried out Von Braun’s vision and purchased 150 acres off a dirt road that is now Sparkman Drive.