Celebration to mark 90th birthday of Dr. Bird

SAGLE - Few enough can claim to have reached their 90th birthday party, and in the case of Forrest Bird, even fewer have celebrated it with such prestigious guests.

A who's who of the world's greatest innovators will be turning out for the renowned aviator and inventor's birthday celebration on Saturday, July 9. Bird's wife Pam said that the longtime associates and collaborators are looking forward to spending the day with their friend.

"They have similar minds and enjoy being together," she said. "It's like getting together with a group of old friends."

Except this group of buddies isn't exactly a phone call and a five-minute drive away. Guests are flying in from all over the world for the event - some from as far away as Brazil and Japan. But the travel is worthwhile to honor a man that has made huge contributions to aviation and medical science.

"Speaking not as Forrest's wife but as an individual who helps inventors with their products, I've had the opportunity to work with one of the greatest inventors in the world," Pam Bird said. "Forrest has done great things in both aviation and innovation."

In fact, it's difficult to list all of Bird's accomplishments in his nearly 70-year career. Thanks to his father's encouragement, he was a fully-trained pilot by age 14. That experience gave him an edge upon the outbreak of World War II when his inventor's spirit kicked into gear. In the service of the armed forced, Bird developed the high-altitude breathing regulator now essential for jet pilots. He also fashioned an inflating jumpsuit that prevented a loss of consciousness due to gravitational force.

"I started working (on those inventions) because it was a necessity," Forrest Bird said. "At the time, I didn't really know where I was going with it."

After the war, he pioneered medical evacuation technology and the BABYbird line of medical respirators that have saved countless human and animal lives.

For his part, Bird takes his achievements in stride.

"Different types of people always work together," Bird said. "If I didn't have my doctors, I couldn't have done any of this."

Bird's birthday celebration will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center and is free of charge. The day will begin in style with a fly-in at 9 a.m., and at 10 a.m., the unveiling of a secretive project will take place. Afterward, visitors can look forward to tours of the center, food from the cafe or Shriners, book signings and conversations with the gathered inventors and aviators.

Guests include Joe Clark, inventor of Winglets and co-founder of Horizon Airlines; John and Martha King, the founders of King Aviation School; Bob Hoover, known among aviation circles as "the pilot of pilots;" legendary aviator Clay Lacy; Helen Free, inventor of diabetes glucose test strips; Betty Jo Reed, World War II Women's Airforce Service Pilot; Rich Sugden, a winner of Reno Jet Races; Frank Cepollina, inventor of the Hubble Telescope Satellite Servicing System; Don Bateman, inventor of the Ground Proximity Warning System; Bob Smith, inventor of Smith ski goggles; Klaus Schmiegel, inventor of Prozac; astronaut John Phillips; Bob Parker, inventor of the digital thermometer and battery charge tester; and Kerry Harris, inventor of advanced technology in helmet padding systems.

Several more guests have yet to confirm their attendance or don't wish to be publicized.

According to Pam Bird, however, the highlight of the day will be spent among the community. It was their support that made the museum a success, and they want to return the favor.

"Without the community, this couldn't happen," she said. "Everyone has been pulling together for a day of fun, and it's all free."