FRIDAY SURPRISE: The world's biggest Roman Candle.

I've written before of my appreciation for the mighty Saturn V rocket. It was, for my generation, perhaps the singular embodiment of American achievement. It showed the world what we were capable of doing when we set our mind to it, in a most spectacular fashion. (Quaint patriotism? Perhaps. I'm not normally prone to such things, but the launch of a Saturn V was always a huge event when I was a kid, and occasionally I miss the "old days." Somehow the Oprah Show isn't on the same level of accomplishment, but many people in this country apparently believe it to be!)

The Saturn V - the largest rocket ever made, and the crowning glory of Dr. Werner von Braun - celebrated its 41st birthday this week. It didn't need any candles, being able to provide fireworks all by itself!


Here it is, November 9, 1967, just before coming to life for the very first time. Happy (belated) Birthday, Saturn V!

-=[ Grant ]=-

Tags: nasa