Producer/Director, John McLaughlin, has over 25 years of experience as a magazine publisher and trade show producer. No prior experience in film media. Inspired by Ken Burns' Civil War documentary to produce a similar work for Palo Alto's 100 year Centennial. After the Centennial Commission's initial acceptance and eventual list of restrictions to produce the film, McLaughlin went on his own with help from the Palo Alto Historical Association.
Wardell Winslow and John McLaughlin interviewed over 70 people on-camera to compile the footage for the documentary.