MOST OF THE TIME this region being part of something larger than itself doesn’t receive much notice. Therefore it sort of catches attention when a local contribution to something seen as “special” comes into view, as in learning the Rome plant of Suhner manufacturing, which is the largest maker of flexible shafts in the world (who knew that?!) is part of the Curiosity rover now roaming around on Mars. The local creations are part of the robotic arm that is scooping stuff up for analysis.

A flexible shaft, by the way, transmits rotary motion between two objects not fixed relative to each other. The best everyday example is a plumber’s snake.

This is the second time in recent days that local products have been revealed as doing “something special.” Brugg Wire Rope is making the 156 miles of steel cable that will raise/lower the 70 elevators in the Freedom Tower in New York City that is replacing the World Trade Center skyscrapers brought down in the 9/11 terrorist attack.

For Greater Romans, long aware that they live in a special place, it is sort of the cherry on top to learn the community is also involved in doing special things that hold the world’s attention.