What do the names Borkenstein, Brandon, Dick, Harger, Julian, Lilly, Muhler, Scholl, and Walker have in common?

• Position: From the Editor

The most recognizable belongs to pharmacist and inventor Colonel Eli Lilly, who shared the gift of Hoosier invention and ingenuity with the others. Each person listed lived in Indiana and worked famously within the life sciences. Robert Borkenstein and Rolla Harger (both of Indianapolis) each invented separate devices to test the levels of alcohol in the human body. Percy Julian's work (Greencastle) led to the use of synthetic cortisone and a drug for lowering blood pressure. Joseph Muhler (Fort Wayne) invented stannous fluoride, much to the delight of parents and dentists, while Madame C. J. Walker developed Tetter Salve as a remedy for skin diseases. Dr. George and Gladys Dick invented a test for scarlet fever, while William Scholl (La Porte) invented much needed arch supports for those of us working long hours on factory floors, while Wayne Brandon of Alexandria developed a pain-relieving glove for arthritis sufferers.

By employment numbers, the life science cluster is overshadowed by many other clusters of industry in this state. But by earnings potential and the wage per job (average: $81,900), it is a star that continues to...