tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post2074561193127553666..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: 44 years ago todayBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38854000145072686692014-05-15T20:37:32.367-07:002014-05-15T20:37:32.367-07:00I watched the landing in a hotel lobby in Miami Be...I watched the landing in a hotel lobby in Miami Beach. There were no TVs in the rooms. My mother got a good deal on a Florida vacation in July. The bus trip from Canada felt like a trip to the moon.Sookehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09668997353700882529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10712318998349501932013-08-21T22:41:06.724-07:002013-08-21T22:41:06.724-07:00This is fantastic!This is fantastic!Irvinghttp://bestrowingmachinereviews.us/2013/08/15/how-to-use-a-rower-1/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14699032217202943852013-07-22T17:59:53.888-07:002013-07-22T17:59:53.888-07:00My grandmother had the same reaction as your Uncle...My grandmother had the same reaction as your Uncle.<br />She came here from Russia in her teens.<br />She sat there in awe with tears in her eyes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-512876632703723192013-07-22T16:15:40.762-07:002013-07-22T16:15:40.762-07:00Was staying with my Uncle and Aunt outside St Loui...Was staying with my Uncle and Aunt outside St Louis on July 20, 1969. My uncle worked at McDonnell Douglas and had some input on the space launch. He was sworn to secrecy about his involvement . . . even his wife didn't know to what extent he was involved. But, boy, was he proud as he watched the landing. DwWashburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03057278992504418291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57031986664861609862013-07-22T07:12:43.181-07:002013-07-22T07:12:43.181-07:00Check out the Australian movie The Dish
http://ww...Check out the Australian movie <b>The Dish</b><br /><br />http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0205873/Zachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01115366572915518720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25084324276971392312013-07-21T16:41:08.824-07:002013-07-21T16:41:08.824-07:00"The more sophisticated our computers have be..."The more sophisticated our computers have become the more we’ve begun to appreciate just how rudimentary and archaic the data and technology was back then. What we thought was state-of-the-art in 1969 was really the Flintstones build a rocket ship."<br /><br />Christ.<br /><br />I loathe snotty, snobby "Oh lets look back in hindsight and point and laugh" kind of thinking.<br /><br />Computers haven't gotten more sophisticated, they have simply become faster, smaller and cheaper. That doesn't equate with being more sophisticated.<br /><br />As far as the technology regarding the actual space ships not being state of the art but rather archaic, GO AWAY. We're 44 years on and STILL using the same types of propulsion systems for ALL of our rockets, with NO changes or major innovations on the horizon.<br /><br />The Saturn V rocket is one of the greatest technological creations in all of history, a machine created to take an enormous amount of weight, and thrust it into the air going faster and faster until it can achieve orbit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68690435214345380632013-07-21T12:57:33.201-07:002013-07-21T12:57:33.201-07:00I liked that when after Neil Armstrong announced t...I liked that when after Neil Armstrong announced the succesful landing with:<br /><br />"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."<br /><br />that Astronaut Charlie Duke, who was CAPCOM, got so excited (and relieved after the stress of the low fuel and computer overload alarms) that he pulled an Elmer Fudd, replying with:<br /><br />"Roger, <i>Twanquility</i>. We copy you on the ground. You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot."Jeffrohttp://kenlevine.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43202273936425430092013-07-21T10:08:46.333-07:002013-07-21T10:08:46.333-07:00Today, I don't know what is more amazing...the...Today, I don't know what is more amazing...there are so many people alive who were not around for that spectacular event, or, there's so many of your fans who still haven't read your book? The numbers are staggering! Alan Jean Shepardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53738910443466518802013-07-21T04:58:14.773-07:002013-07-21T04:58:14.773-07:00What's interesting to me is that the moon land...What's interesting to me is that the moon landings - as Ken points out, watched in real time by 450 million people - mark probably the pinnacle of mass media, too. The same year as the first men on the moon, 1969, was the year the ARPAnet, the precursor to the Internet, was switched on. Hardly anyone was paying attention to that, yet (as the sf writer Charlie Stross has written in an essay he has on his Web site about the future), it was the moment of crossover between the first half of the 20th century's belief in *transport* as the future and the latter half's focus on computing power and communications. The world was actually watching the culmination of the past, and the real future was starting in a few labs (in the US, France, and Britain), unnoticed.<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68450721710675008402013-07-21T04:23:48.383-07:002013-07-21T04:23:48.383-07:00It was my understanding that he actually said &quo...It was my understanding that he actually said "One small step for A man" but that the spotty transmission blipped at that moment so no one heard it. <br /><br />Either way, you're right about that extraordinary day. Thanks for another great post--your book sounds terrific.Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794791220323089387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-52111204375750158402013-07-21T03:06:53.693-07:002013-07-21T03:06:53.693-07:00And I remember the newspaper (remember them?) cove...And I remember the newspaper (remember them?) coverage the next day. The entire first section monopolized with articles and photos, with this tiny story on page whatever about Ted Kennedy driving his car off a bridge.olucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12047701257768309071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38311894443583880842013-07-21T00:13:43.129-07:002013-07-21T00:13:43.129-07:00If the English had been in the Space Race, they...If the English had been in the Space Race, they'd have sent a man into space to check it was safe to send the dog.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06248182899977033579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-98298679164050412013-07-20T23:56:07.504-07:002013-07-20T23:56:07.504-07:00I remember one of the networks illustrating the li...I remember one of the networks illustrating the live audio transmissions with a model LEM on strings landing on a tabletop moon. It landed a bit early so they did a quick rewind to try and make it land concurrent with the announcement.<br /><br />Also, one network commissioned Duke Ellington to write and perform something appropriate -- a song titled "Moon Maiden." Really a nice alternative to filling air with halfwit pundits speculating endlessly in absence of new information.Dbensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-41938288922845078882013-07-20T22:03:16.387-07:002013-07-20T22:03:16.387-07:00based on what my little brother (who was 4 at the ...based on what my little brother (who was 4 at the time) tells me, my family (including him) was gathered around the TV. I was in Children's Hospital but we were watching there, too. I can still remember what side of the room the TV was mounted on... Not sure when I got to go home, but when I did, they were having aluminum siding put on the house.<br /><br />I remember watching Star Trek: Enterprise years later and it was all about the wonder of being in space. I didn't get it. It wasn't a wonder to me. It had been going on all my life. It wasn't till later, watching JJ Pryor (American Dreams) coming up with a way to make the astronauts' gloves the right way, that I got the wonder. <br />Hmm.. wonder if that season made it to DVD...<br /><br />but of course I remember where I was watching it, past my bedtime.<br /><br />I also vaguely remember a TV show about cavemen and astronauts. I remember my teacher asking What are astronauts? and some kid in my class saying they were the guys who followed Jesus around. Oddly, I'd heard of astronauts, but not apostles...Pamela Jayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06135379188588301400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68068332774930840982013-07-20T21:18:24.833-07:002013-07-20T21:18:24.833-07:0044 years since humans first set foot on the moon.....44 years since humans first set foot on the moon.<i>..and 40 years since we last did.</i> In 1969, we thought that by 2013 we'd have established colonies there with at least a few hundred residents (and even some lunar-born babies), using the resources of this satellite planet to aid mankind. What happened?VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68057265117582814232013-07-20T20:04:00.976-07:002013-07-20T20:04:00.976-07:00I wasn't even close to being born, but my moth...I wasn't even close to being born, but my mother remembers it well.<br /><br />Nevertheless, I always enjoy seeing NASA footage, and the constant activity involving Mission Control. Apollo 13 is still one of my favorite movies, for this very reason. The attention to detail. The proceedings, the care, the sheer size of the whole event.<br /><br />In fact, Ken, if you haven't seen this before, here you go. It's astounding:<br /><br />http://www.firstmenonthemoon.com/<br /><br />I, for one, hope Mad Men doesn't shy away from depicting this event, on the final season, when it airs next year.Eduardo Jencarellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14393598179614372710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9366402198952725342013-07-20T19:46:06.786-07:002013-07-20T19:46:06.786-07:00So...are you going to tell us when and where you l...So...are you going to tell us when and where you lost YOUR virginity?Paul Ducanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64101648090239631782013-07-20T18:56:57.045-07:002013-07-20T18:56:57.045-07:00Here's how monumental that day was: The owner...Here's how monumental that day was: The owner of the restaurant where I was working my summer job decided to close early because (1) after Armstrong and Aldrin landed, business was virtually nonexistent, and (2) the owner actually announced that he wanted to go home and watch the news coverage himself. For the first time in history, a restaurant owner actually had something on his mind other than his business. That day marked one small step for man, a giant leap for a Chef Salad...Tom Quigleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12959628996361620134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6745197734180786002013-07-20T16:48:40.892-07:002013-07-20T16:48:40.892-07:00gottacook: we told those photos, too - with a Pola...gottacook: we told those photos, too - with a Polaroid!<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6647620567143687782013-07-20T16:13:24.767-07:002013-07-20T16:13:24.767-07:00Unforgettable night. And we thought we'd be li...Unforgettable night. And we thought we'd be living like the Jetsons by now. Little did we know that the tenacity, teamwork and sacrifice of those original NASA engineers was the real right stuff that I doubt we could even duplicate today for any effort of that magnitude. I honestly don't think we could get back to the moon again today, sequester budget or not.Hollywoodaholichttp://www.hollywoodaholic.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-72843830504812377062013-07-20T14:15:36.848-07:002013-07-20T14:15:36.848-07:00It was pretty darn cool, wasn't it....It was pretty darn cool, wasn't it....Portland Coreynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70433020814286861302013-07-20T13:40:00.939-07:002013-07-20T13:40:00.939-07:00The plaque they left ("We came in peace for a...The plaque they left ("We came in peace for all mankind") is signed by the three astronauts and Richard Nixon, who had nothing to do with it other than being president for the six months (to the day) before.Breadbakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68788912183045648002013-07-20T12:45:44.583-07:002013-07-20T12:45:44.583-07:00I remember the excitement of the moment well. It w...I remember the excitement of the moment well. It was the summer before I started college. You'd be surprised how many students at Caltech were inspired by the space program. There were so many bad things going on in 1968-1969, and this was one of the few good ones.Bruce Reznicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58507243979555947482013-07-20T12:36:41.857-07:002013-07-20T12:36:41.857-07:00I hear that they will soon be giving tours of the ...I hear that they will soon be giving tours of the sound stage in Area 51 where they faked that landing.AlaskaRaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53829737017905848382013-07-20T12:17:47.838-07:002013-07-20T12:17:47.838-07:00I still have my photos of our big wooden console T...I still have my photos of our big wooden console TV showing the landing; I was 12. <br /><br />One of our family heirlooms is a Grumman internal manual from 1965 when my late father-in-law worked there, concerning in great detail the workings of the lunar landing module. It's amazing how much systems engineering had already taken place by then, 3 years before its first flight. The whole mission is timed to the second, as it had to be, and is graphically depicted in a foldout. (The manual apparently is now available to the public; see www.amazon.com/Lunar-Excursion-Module-Familiarization-Manual/dp/1935700669.)gottacooknoreply@blogger.com