Rocket Mail
So missiles, rockets and crazy personalities trying to make a point are in the news a lot lately. It reminds me of time long ago when the circumstances were oddly similar.
From the crazier recesses of a government R&D lab came the idea to send mail in a hurry. It was the Cold War, and if you think the US and Russia throw shade at each other now; it was even scarier in 1959.
Some say it was to keep the Postal Service current with the times; others say it was a stunt to show off new capabilities to the Russians. In any event, tax dollars were spent to convert the payload area of an intercontinental missile, into a super speedy, mail-delivering projectile.
While the Postmaster General at the time was serious about implementing the kooky scheme, the military big-wigs were more interested in showing off.
The day of the launch, a payload of dummy letters was locked and loaded into a cruise missile and fired from a submarine in Virginia to a base in Florida. Twenty minutes later, the rocket landed safely, its cargo intact, and the souvenir letters were given away. (Collector's item much?) This wasn't the serious test the Postmaster wanted, but it worked none the less.
Even though it worked out and made a big sensation, no more packages by rocket mail after that. Maybe it was too expensive; maybe the point was made to Russia. Either way, it was an awesomely excellent idea that got off the ground, came back, but never left again.
Thanks for reading!
-Mike O.
