Our guest is Norman McCombs, he is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, which honored him with the EDISON Medal, their highest patent award. Norman is also an author and discusses his
latest book, A Reason to Be a semi-autobiographical book. Also, the original screenplay by Norman McCombs, based on his historical novel A Reason to Be, was picked for the Best Sci-Fi Screenplay Award from the Los Angeles Film Awards. This autobiographical novel creates parallel stories as the protagonist, suffering deeply from the loss of his lifelong sweetheart, starts a redemptive journey through family history reaching back centuries from North America to the Scottish Highlands. McCombs’ connections to the famed Highland Clans form the foundation of a journey through history which, in no small way, saved his life. Representing one of those great Scottish/American success stories, he has over two hundred patents worldwide, primarily for air separation technology used for a myriad of oxygen applications around the world. In 2011, as McCombs stood outside the East Wing of the White House before receiving the National Medal of Technology from President Obama, he asked himself a simple question: How did I come from the circumstances of my birth to the steps of the White House? That moment prompted McCombs to search for deeper connections to his ancestry! Norman has over two hundred patents worldwide, primarily for air separation technology used for a myriad of oxygen applications around the world. He is also an Officier Commandeur of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, as well as a sculptor, classical guitarist, and avid fan of opera and the fine arts. You can find more information on Norman McCombs at NormanMcCombs.com. A five-minute audiobook sample, including a bit of Scottish brogue, can be heard at Amazon.