We are happy to announce the release of a new BAPL Books publication: THE GIANT MOVES. The story began when Mike Piersa of the National Museum of Industrial History contacted us about a new book possibility featuring the Whitworth Bending Press. The Bending Press — an enormous piece of equipment weighing almost one million pounds! — had recently been moved from its location from near the Wind Creek Casino to the Museum. Its story was similar to that of the star of our first book: a vital piece of machinery that had to be saved, in this case, from demolition. Mike thought it would make a good follow-up to TUG! and we agreed. Catherine McCafferty of BAPL was up to the task.
“There was a great deal of history related to John Fritz, Bethlehem’s ironmaster who brought the press into being,” Catherine said. “I wanted to connect that history to the present, because after TUG!, I had heard from many retired steelworkers that younger generations really didn’t know much—if anything—about Bethlehem Steel and the blast furnaces that still dominate the city landscape.”
Catherine crafted a story that would connect the generations. She noticed on an Easter morning walk in 2021 that Bethlehem’s Skateplaza was directly across from empty Bethlehem Steel buildings, as well as the active Lehigh Heavy Forge. That inspired her to write about a skateboarder as the main character. He encounters an author/historian of Bethlehem Steel and learns about the press’s past. This inspires the teen to become more involved in Bethlehem’s industrial history, and to forge his own future in the field.
As the book progressed, Mike put Catherin in touch with Calum Learn, a former volunteer who had worked at NMIH while in high school. In one of the amazing art-imitating-life twists, it became clear that Calum’s story was, at heart, the teen’s story. He currently works as a metallurgist in a forge, and while he opted for college, unlike the character, his fascination with forging reflects that of the character’s. Or vice-versa.
“The book is a shout-out to the amazing wealth of history we have in Bethlehem,” Catherine says. “There are buildings from the 1700s just downtown, and a national museum and original blast furnaces that are part of the South Side landscape. It’s truly remarkable how much history is a part of our everyday lives.”
THE GIANT MOVES speaks to the idea of being part of something larger and more enduring than yourself, whether that’s industry, art, or something else. And doing what you love, whether it’s a profession or hobby or side gig. Because when we honor what we love, we become both whole and a piece of the bigger picture.
Copies may be purchased at the Main Library or you can buy a copy to be shipped.