Neil Armstrong died today. For a generation of men my age, it is a passing of a giant among men. There was a little boy in Detroit, who watched those black-and-white images, and believed it was the most amazing thing he had ever seen. I was that little boy, and it still is. One small step, 200,000 miles away, placed the name of Neil Aldrich Armstrong among history's greatest explorers.
The man who would accomplish arguably the greatest technological achievement of the 20th century, was not a man who was comfortable with his celebrity. He was offered millions for potential endorsements. He turned almost all of them down, the one notable exception being a Chrysler ad he did in appreciation of their technical expertise, and an opportunity to help them, as they went through financial difficulties. He preferred being a professor at Ohio State, as well as a businessman. That was enough for him.R.I.P. Neil Armstrong, You have now completed your ultimate flight.
The man who would accomplish arguably the greatest technological achievement of the 20th century, was not a man who was comfortable with his celebrity. He was offered millions for potential endorsements. He turned almost all of them down, the one notable exception being a Chrysler ad he did in appreciation of their technical expertise, and an opportunity to help them, as they went through financial difficulties. He preferred being a professor at Ohio State, as well as a businessman. That was enough for him.R.I.P. Neil Armstrong, You have now completed your ultimate flight.
