Mr. Irwin was willing to back this venture, and today Cummins engines are known throughout the world. Arvin Industries has also been an important player in today's Columbus. Their automobile parts are sold internationally, and their first product was the tire pump. Modern architecture arrived in Columbus in 1942, but really took off in 1957 when Cummins Company created a foundation that offered to pay the architectural fees for all new schools, provided they agreed to use only nationally distinguished architects. The Cummins Foundation also pays the architect fees for other public buildings.
Care is taken to blend the new with the old.
A beautiful example of this is the Cummins Engine Company's world headquarters building, which was built around the old Cerealine building - Columbus' earliest mill. The old mill now stands proudly preserved, surrounded by reflecting pools, and its modern architectural counterpart. The architectural tour is offered March through November seven days a week and December through February six days a week. Volunteers guide these two-hour tours, and give a complete overview of the city and its architecture. Some of the names you may recognize are architects Eliel Saarinen, Eero Saarinen, Harry Weese, Richard Meier and I.M. Pei.