History of Rockets

Wood Pigeon Takes Flight

400 BCE

In 400 BC, Gellius, an ancient Roman tells of a flying wooden pigeon. Steam propelled this pigeon up and enabled it to fly.

Fireworks are Created

100

In the 1st century, the Chinese invented gunpowder, allowing for a true propulsion system. Fireworks were born!

First Use of Rockets

Mar 21, 1232

In 1200, the Mongols and Chinese were at war. They would fire rockets at each other, used as a war weapon.

Step Rockets are Invented

Mar 21, 1500

In the 16th century, step rockets are invented. These were invented by a German engineer, Johann Schmidlap, with the idea that they could reach space one day.

Newton Creates his Three Laws

Mar 21, 1670

In the late 1600s, Isaac Newton made rocketry into a science. His three laws on defining motion help explain how rockets work and how they can work in space.

Rockets Become a Weapon

Mar 21, 1812

A British colonel, William Congreve, was one of the first to reintroduce rockets as a weapon of war. This is what inspired Key to write "rocket's red glare" for the Star Spangled Banner

Rockets in Space?

Mar 21, 1898

In 1898, a Russian, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, proposed that rockets could be sent into space. Instead of gunpowder, he wanted to use liquid propellants to succeed.

Nazis Innovate Rockets for War

Mar 21, 1945

During WWII, it is well-known that the Nazis were developing rockets. Led by Hermann Oberth, the Nazis were able to create the V2 rocket, using a mixture of oxygen and alcohol as fuel.

First World Orbiting Satellite

Mar 21, 1957

In 1957, the Russians launched the first ever world orbiting satellite. This was known as Sputnik and launched the Soviets ahead in the space race.

NASA is Created

Mar 21, 1958

In 1958, NASA was officially formed, marking the expansion of rockets. NASA's goal was to explore space using rockets, eventually putting a man on the moon 11 years later.