Today, the U.S. Interstate Highway System turns golden – 50 years old. (Newsweek)

While pushed by President Dwight ‘Ike’ Eisenhower and the legislative lead was Al Gore’s dad (Al Sr.), the man in charge of the whole project was Frank Turner, an unassuming engineer whom I had the pleasure of interviewing for an article discussing the 40th anniversary of the same project.

For a man who had spearheaded the construction of one of the most important construction projects in history, Turner was remarkably plain-spoken and came across as just another guy. (A very smart guy, mind you.)

My article captured only a small slice of Frank Turner; the phone interview lasted over two hours.

Here’s to you, Frank!

Below, Frank Turner – second from the left – at the Oval Office ceremony where Eisenhower was shown the national interstate plan.