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Purdue students to design torch for Indiana bicentennial

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) – The Indiana Bicentennial Commission has chosen Purdue University’s College of Engineering to design a torch to be used in a relay throughout the state’s 92 counties.

The Lafayette Journal and Courier reports each county will come up with a unique way to use the torch along its route. For example, in Marion County the torch could be mounted on of a speeding race car. The route will start in Indiana’s first state capital in Corydon and end in Indianapolis.

Purdue professor Timothee Pourpoint says he and eight students have to create “a torch with a real flame that goes 200 mph.”

Mark Newman is director of Indiana’s tourism development office. He says organizers are excited by the Purdue students’ enthusiasm for the project.

Plans for the bicentennial are still in the works.