Douglas Adams, the author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, was right. The meaning of life is 42. At least, that's the story Missouri S&T Solar Car Team members are telling and they're sticking to it. Since 1993, students at Missouri S&T have built eight solar-powered cars, each one emblazoned with the sacred number 42.
"Some of the members of the first Solar Car Team at Rolla had read Adams' book, and they decided 42 was the perfect number because it's the answer to everything," says Stephanie Maiden, Chem'05, BSci'05, former team president.
So far, Missouri S&T team members have had the right answers when it comes to competing against other university-based solar car teams. No. 42 has been on two Missouri S&T cars that won the American Solar Car Challenge and on another vehicle that placed second.
The team hopes 42 continues to be its lucky number, but they don't plan on needing any hitchhiking guides during the race.
Had the opportunity to meet the solar team in Albuquerque a few years ago. (This must have been 1999). We have since relocated to Texas (San Antonio) thus will drive up to Plano for the kick-off on July 12 & 13. Don Willyard, BSEE 1962 (MSM), MSEE 1965 (UMR)
Ummm... I think it was 42 because Mizzou picked 43. We were one better ;). This was Sunrayce 93.