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Frank Capano - Philanthropist
Frank Capano enjoys the written word in many forms, among them playwriting and literature. Frank Capano counts a diverse list of authors as his favorites, among them Norman Mailer, Ernest Hemingway, Jane Austen, and Michael Palmer.
A recently deceased American author, Norman Mailer is recognized as a pioneer in the arena of nonfiction storytelling. Mailer is perhaps most famous for his work The Naked and the Dead, a novel that drew upon the author’s experiences in World War II. It appeared in 1948 to great acclaim and is included in the Modern Library’s 100 Best English Language Novels of the 20th Century. The author of over 40 books and many non-fiction essays, Norman Mailer died in 2007, leaving behind a great legacy.
Next on Frank Capano’s list is Ernest Hemingway, a writer who was similarly influenced by wartime memories. Ernest Hemingway received the Nobel Prize for Literature and is recognized for a long list of works including The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, and famous short stories including Hills Like White Elephants.
A writer of an entirely different persuasion and era than Mailer and Hemingway, Jane Austen also tops Frank Capano’s list of preferred authors. Famous for her nuanced ridicule of aristocratic societies, Jane Austen’s 18th century works remain shining examples of satire and cultural commentary. Her most acclaimed novels include Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility.
An individual with diverse tastes, Frank Capano also appreciates the words of poet Michael Palmer, who is the recipient of the Wallace Stevens Award from the Academy of American Poets. Collections of Michael Palmer’s poetry include The Circular Gates, The Promises of Glass, and Company of Moths.
Frank Capano's Publications
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The Origins of Modern Archery
February, 2011
by Frank Capano
Archaeologists and historians credit the development of the bow to the Paleolithic period since the earliest examples come from late in the period, between 9,000 and 8,000 B.C. Found in northern Germany, the bows used short arrows whittled from pine with a flint point. The oldest existing bows came from a swamp in Denmark, featuring a D-shaped midsection with flat arms. They measure about five feet. Several examples of shafts from the Mesolithic period have been found all around Europe. The Egyptians began using bows and arrows about 5,000 years ago, before the Pharaonic Period. Many ancient cultures employed entire contingents of archers in the armies, including the Persians, Indians, Koreans, Japanese, and Chinese. In ancient India, archery was so connected to warfare that the term for archery came to denote combat in general. In North America, Native American tribes would practice their archery skills using rolled hoops as targets.
After the invention of firearms, archery became largely obsolete for military purposes but remained a popular pastime of the elite around the world. In the United States, archery saw a revival after the Civil War, due to the ingenuity of Will and Maurice Thompson. As Confederate veterans, the brothers could not possess firearms and thus needed a new weapon for hunting food. They turned to an English style of archery, using a longbow. Maurice subsequently authored The Witchery of Archery, which incited a passion for archery as a sport. In 1879, enthusiasts founded the National Archery Association, but interest gradually died until the early 1900s. Dr. Saxton Pope of the University of California learned about the archery tools of the Yahi tribe, from the last surviving member, Ishi. Dr. Pop proved the efficacy of archery for taking down large game during hunting expeditions in Alaska and Africa, reviving public interest. In the 1920s, engineers began creating the modern bows that now dominate archery in the Western world. Since the advent of modern equipment, archery has remained a central sport and hobby throughout the United States.
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Frank Capano: National Society of Professional Engineers
March, 2011
Frank Capano maintains active membership in the National Society of Professional Engineers. The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) supports and advances the profession of engineering across the United States. As the sole national association oriented toward all engineering disciplines, the NSPE continues to rank as the premier professional organization serving the field today.
Additionally, a membership in the National Society of Professional Engineers automatically includes memberships at the local, state, and national levels of the organization. Officially established in New York City in 1934, the National Society of Professional Engineers sustains a variety of programs oriented toward supporting and advancing the profession of engineering. Sponsoring educational and development programs, national symposia and conferences, and mentoring opportunities, the NSPE also maintains an array of educational and informational resources, and carries responsibility for granting a number of annual awards recognizing excellence throughout the field.
The National Society of Professional Engineers currently boasts approximately 45,000 constituents across a diversity of professional engineering fields, as well as those currently engaging in licensing examinations. The National Society of Professional Engineers serves its national constituency in large part through an array of local activities. Committed to the non-technical issues of licensed professional engineers throughout the US, the NSPE maintains its national headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.
For more information regarding the National Society of Professional Engineers please visit www.nspe.org
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