A Letter to John Noble Wilford, New York Times Reporter
Hi Mr. Wilford,
So this might sound very random, but I am writing a paper for my Science & Technology in Modern American History class at Bowdoin College about the evolution of the public's perception to rocketry. In doing my research for this paper, I came across an article you wrote for the Times on November 5, 1967 titled "Von Braun's Hopes Ride on Saturn 5."
I Googled your name and found your byline next to the article about Inca Suspension bridges (which I intend to read after submitting this paper tomorrow).
This is a long-winded way of saying that I couldn't help but notice that your description of von Braun in the '67 article was curiously similar to the mannerisms of the title character in Dr. Strangelove.
"After 22 years in this country, Dr. Von Braun still speaks with a distinct, though softened accent. One arm is always shooting out to illustrate a rocket's curving course or to identify some planetary target in midair."
Considering the film came out 3 years prior to your article's publication, my question is this: von Braun is widely considered one of the individuals who inspired the Dr. Strangelove character. Were you aware of this when you interviewed him in 1967? If so, was your description of his arm shooting out to illustrate a rocket's curve intended to be a humorous nod to the film? Or am I simply reading too much into a 40 year-old article?
Thank you for your time,
Tom Rodrigues
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I really hope I get a response...
So this might sound very random, but I am writing a paper for my Science & Technology in Modern American History class at Bowdoin College about the evolution of the public's perception to rocketry. In doing my research for this paper, I came across an article you wrote for the Times on November 5, 1967 titled "Von Braun's Hopes Ride on Saturn 5."
I Googled your name and found your byline next to the article about Inca Suspension bridges (which I intend to read after submitting this paper tomorrow).
This is a long-winded way of saying that I couldn't help but notice that your description of von Braun in the '67 article was curiously similar to the mannerisms of the title character in Dr. Strangelove.
"After 22 years in this country, Dr. Von Braun still speaks with a distinct, though softened accent. One arm is always shooting out to illustrate a rocket's curving course or to identify some planetary target in midair."
Considering the film came out 3 years prior to your article's publication, my question is this: von Braun is widely considered one of the individuals who inspired the Dr. Strangelove character. Were you aware of this when you interviewed him in 1967? If so, was your description of his arm shooting out to illustrate a rocket's curve intended to be a humorous nod to the film? Or am I simply reading too much into a 40 year-old article?
Thank you for your time,
Tom Rodrigues
*****************
I really hope I get a response...