Sparkling Stars #25

When three desperadoes dynamite a Southern Pacific express train in Oregon's Siskiyou Tunnel in 1923, killing four crew members and leaving virtually no leads, the case seems destined for the unsolved files—until a University of California chemistry professor applies rigorous scientific analysis to the scant physical evidence. What begins as greasy overalls becomes a crucial chain of clues that eventually identifies the culprits and sets postal inspectors on a determined hunt across the country. Based on the true case that captivated the nation, this tale shows how careful observation and expert analysis can triumph where eyewitness accounts and routine investigation fail.

Meet the "Electric Pin Boy"—a revolutionary automatic pinspotter invented by Fred J. Schmidt and manufactured by American Machine and Foundry that's transforming bowling alleys across America. This 1947 feature showcases how the seven-foot-nine-inch machine mechanizes every aspect of the game except the bowler's delivery, automatically setting pins, retrieving balls, clearing deadwood, and even calling fouls without pause or fatigue. See how this tireless mechanical marvel operates continuously around the clock, handling up to nine games per hour and finally delivering bowling's long-dreamed-of automation.

Mildred "Babe" Didrickson stands as one of the greatest all-around athletes in sports history, a woman whose competitive fire burned across nearly every discipline she entered. From Olympic gold medals in track and field to championship titles in golf, tennis, and basketball, this is the remarkable story of an athlete whose achievements earned her recognition as the outstanding woman athlete of her era.