Vollis Simpson's Whirlygigs

Although we did not meet Vollis, we were lucky enough to visit the site of his workshop in Lucama (NC) in March of 2013...  

Unfortunately, a few months later he passed away at age 94. 

Vollis Simpson in 2010 (photo: Jeremy Lange, NY Times)

He did live long enough to learn that the nearby town of Wilson was planning to safely store his creations, for placement in the town park.  Now that will be something, but seeing them in their natural (albeit forlorn) state - many still spinning away - was a sight to behold.