In the first weeks after Sputnik the West began to respond. Everything was under examination, from the perceived inadequacy of our rocket technology to fears of sub standard science education standards for youth.

As Sputnik silently crossed America this magazine was on thousands of magazine racks below.



Inside the magazine was an article by G. Harry Stine that would introduce Orville Carlisle and model rocketry to the world. Mr. Stine had an impeccable sense of timing.



Millions of dollars were poured into upgrading science education in the United States and Canada. The N.A.C.A. suddenly found itself obsolete and was soon replaced by NASA. Billions of dollars of defense contracts were signed to accelerate rocket development budgets.

Along with the increased awareness of space and rocketry came home rocketry experimentation and the "Youth Rocketry Problem" otherwise known as the rise of the "Basement Bomber". Thankfully a quiet shoe salesman from Norfolk, Nebraska would come to the rescue with his invention of a safe and reliable motor technology. His invention would save untold thousands from injury and even death.

Here we see a somewhat shelfworn example of a Carlisle Mark II from the Stine Collection.



Orville Carlisle perfected reusable rocket technology long before Space X.

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National Collection Images: G. Harry Stine Collection/The Museum of Flight.