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This collection contains the files that Louis Rotundo used for the research of his book, Into the Unknown: The X-1 Story. The book "describes the complete history of the world's first supersonic aircraft, the Bell X-1." Materials consist of manuscripts, reports, interview transcripts, news clippings, photographs, and multimedia. This collection provides insight into the history of the X-1 plane and the work of Louis Rotundo. Louis C. Rotundo was born on October 28, 1949. He graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in 1975 and then worked for United States Senator Lawton Childes as an aide. Rotundo served as a lobbyist for the State of Florida and was employed by UCF from 1980 to 1988 as Special Assistant to the Director of the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and Special Assistant to the President of UCF from 1984 to 1987. After departing from UCF in 1988, Rotundo worked as the Principal of Louis Rotundo and Associates, a Central Florida based company that specializes in lobbying and consulting.

The Jack Gantos collection consists of archival materials, typescripts, and published materials donated by Gantos, a children's and young adult author. Cataloged materials, including books, advanced reader copies, and audiobooks are hyperlinked to records available in the USF Libraries catalog.

James E. Shepherd, Jr. was born on November 1, 1944 and grew up in the small town of Sanford, Florida. By his own admission, he got in trouble with local police department, resulting in his commitment to a mental institution. He had amassed financial problems, social problems, and educational deficiencies before he had reached maturity. Since that time, he has authored a book variously titled "Portrait of a Genius", "Portfolio of an Undiscovered Howard Hughes", and "Portrait of Genius: A Collage in the Key of Life". His collection also includes excerpts from "Insight on the Scriptures", an essay titled "The King James Version of the Holy Bible- The Only True Bible?", various letters addressed to world leaders, and his comprehensive resume.