The History of Rockets

The fact that we have only been traveling to space for a short time does not mean that the rocket is a new invention. More than 2300 years ago, Archytas of Tarentum created what could be considered a crude rocket.

While experimentation continued, it was the Chinese, several hundred years later, who began to make practical use of the rocket, including, legend has it, the rocket chair pictured here.

As Europeans made and set off incredible fireworks displays, a resounding defeat of British troops at Mysore, India by the rajah, Hyder Ali, using advanced rockets brought them to the attention of William Congreve.

Learn more by reading The History of Rockets, Part 1.

Image Credit:Public Domain; Coutesy of NASA's History of Rockets

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