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Cortex - Oral History

Cortex is now seen as a major hub for innovation in St. Louis and the Midwest. Its success piggybacks on the successful revitalization of the historic Central West End neighborhood. Cortex sits on a 200- acre site on the southwestern edge of Midtown. Here, in more than 200 interview segments broken into seven chapters, Nine PBS explores how it came to be and where it might be headed.

The Story of Cortex

About this Project

Our one-hour documentary elevates the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in St. Louis. Smart People. Cool Places. The Story of Cortex tells the compelling story of an innovation hub in St. Louis attracting national attention and promising to take the region’s economy in a new, positive direction.

Here, in the most comprehensive oral history of the Cortex in existence, they tell that story in their own words. The interviews collected here were used for the making of the documentary film Smart People. Cool Places. The Story of Cortex​. Watch the documentary on the PBS Video App or online now.

The Story of Cortex was made possible by the generous support of Dr. William H. Danforth, Dan and Connie Burkhardt, Constance and John McPheeters, and Aries Rental Company.