Sputnik 1 was launched 50 years ago this Thursday.
It was a big deal around our home back then. My sister, Jeanette, and I were the original space cadets and my mother was our leader.
Mom found out when Sputnik would be visible and I remember standing out on the lawn with my parents and my sister watching that pinpoint of light that was Sputnik cross the sky over our house.
One day after work, Dad brought us home our very own Sputniks: a simple toy that some entrepreneur hastily put together to take advantage of the moment.
The toy Sputnik was a simple kit consisting of a white round balloon and a handful of white soda straws. After you inflated the balloon you attached the soda straws to the balloon to emulate Sputnik's antennas. We were on our own with regards to a launch vehicle.
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