Today, we are taking a road trip to West Lafayette, Indiana.
Purdue University isn’t just a place where smart people build bridges and stare at math problems until they cry. It is a historical nexus of monumental, world-changing handshakes. From the surface of the moon to the golden, buttery aisles of your local Blockbuster Video, Boilermakers have been sealing deals and making history with their palms for over a century.
Grab your Purdue Pete hammer and put on your favorite vintage Starter jacket. We are breaking down West Lafayette’s most impactful grips and what they teach us about professional networking today.
One Giant Leap, One Firm Grasp: The Lunar Handshake
We can’t talk about Purdue without talking about space. Neil Armstrong (Class of ’55) and Eugene Cernan (Class of ’56) were the first and last men to walk on the moon, respectively. While the Apollo missions happened before the dawn of the Sega Genesis, their impact practically defined the 90s—I mean, MTV literally used Purdue alum Neil Armstrong’s footprint and a Moonman as their entire brand identity!
Imagine the handshake between Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin inside the Lunar Module after successfully landing the Eagle.
Psychology of the Zero-Gravity Grip: This isn’t a competitive “Alpha” squeeze. This is the Survival Synchronization Shake. When you are 238,900 miles away from Earth, encased in tinfoil and 1960s computer code, your handshake is a pure affirmation of mutual trust. It says, “We didn’t explode, we landed, and I trust you to help me get back to my cassette tapes.”
Your Takeaway: You probably aren’t navigating a lunar landing, but you might be launching a high-stakes startup or closing a terrifying merger. In high-stress situations, drop the performative “pizzazz.” Offer a firm, grounding handshake that communicates absolute solidarity. Be the Neil Armstrong of your quarterly review.
Bow Ties, Butter, and Blockbuster Nights: The Orville Deal
Before we were fighting over the last copy of GoldenEye 007 at Blockbuster, we were throwing a bag of microwave popcorn into the cart. And for that, you can thank Purdue alumnus Orville Redenbacher (Class of ’28). Orville spent years crossbreeding corn to create the perfect, fluffy kernel, eventually launching his massive empire.
Legend has it that Orville sealed his earliest distribution deals with a simple, Midwestern handshake.
Psychology of the Popcorn Pitch: Orville’s persona—the signature bow tie, the thick glasses, the grandfatherly smile—was the ultimate disarming tactic. His handshake would have been the Midwestern Trust Grasp. It’s warm, encompasses the whole hand, and is backed by a product he believed in with his entire soul. It says, “I am a wholesome agricultural scientist, and my corn will blow your mind.”
A crucial networking note: While Orville sold butter, his handshake was strictly grease-free. Sweaty or slippery palms are the ultimate social faux pas.
Your Takeaway: Authenticity sells. You don’t need a slick, Wall Street “power grip” if your product and your passion are genuine. Dress the part (maybe skip the bow tie unless you can really pull it off like Bill Nye), make genuine eye contact, and let the quality of your work back up the firmness of your grip.
Big Dog Energy at the ’94 Draft: Basketball Royalty
Let’s fast-forward to the mid-90s. Purdue basketball under legendary coach Gene Keady (and his equally legendary, gravity-defying comb-over) was a powerhouse. But the absolute peak of 90s Boilermaker swagger was Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson.
In 1994, after a monstrous career at Purdue, Big Dog went #1 overall in the NBA Draft. When his name was called, he walked across the stage and shook the hand of NBA Commissioner David Stern.
Psychology of the Draft Day Dap: This is the Generational Shift Grip. Stern, representing the corporate establishment, offered the traditional standard pump. Robinson, stepping into his multi-million dollar destiny, met it with the undeniable, cool confidence of a 90s superstar. It wasn’t disrespectful, but it wasn’t overly deferential, either. It was the handshake of a man who knew he was about to get a massive Reebok shoe deal.
Your Takeaway: When you are stepping up to the big leagues—whether it’s a massive promotion, a new job, or signing a major client—own your worth. Meet the establishment’s handshake with your own flavor of quiet, unshakeable confidence. You earned your spot on the stage; make sure your grip reflects it.
Hammering Home the Boilermaker Bond
Whether you are walking on the lunar surface, engineering the perfect movie snack, or dominating the paint in Mackey Arena, the underlying truth is the same: the most impactful moments in history are sealed with a handshake.
Purdue’s legacy teaches us that a great grip requires the precision of an engineer, the authenticity of a farmer, and the undeniable swagger of a 90s power forward. Boiler up, and shake on!
Leave a Reply