Rocket Scientists Of NASA Before Powerpoint In 1961

1
Photo by J. R. Eyerman, via LIFE

Ever heard the saying “It’s not rocket science!”? It’s often used by smart-asses who know nothing about rocket science. But then again, who does? It is, after all, super difficult. Well, NASA does, obviously, and back in the early 60s rocket science was even more complicated than it is now.

h/t: boredpanda. vintag.es

2
Photo by J. R. Eyerman, via LIFE

These days you can probably figure out how much fuel you need to get to the moon and back on a smartphone app, and if you want to know the weight of Neptune then you can simply search it on Google. But back in the 1961, scientists at NASA were still doing things with a piece of chalk and a giant blackboard. And believe it or not, they put the first US astronaut into space that very same year, a feat made all the more impressive when you remember that the electronic calculator hadn’t even been invented yet.

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to Design You Trust Facebook page.

More Inspiring Stories

"Always Moving Under the Surface": Organic Typography by Alex Ortiga

Ten Great Years

When Mustaches Make A Difference

Turkish Artist Hossein Diba Creates These Creepy Realistic Recreations Of “The Simpsons” Characters That Will Give You Nightmares

Dreamy Watercolor Illustrations By Italian Artist Veronica Ruffato, A Nostalgic Window To Childhood Fantasy Worlds

The Zep Diner, a Popular Eating Place at Hollywood Modeled on the Lines of a Zeppelin, in the 1930s

An Introverted Artist Details The Struggles Of An Introverted Life

The Superb 3D Digital Experimental Artworks by ☽༒༓N3XTgE№BR0K3R༓༒☾

Rock Climber Proposes To His Girlfriend In The Most Romantic Way Ever

"Journey to the East": The Superb Concept Art Works by Dom Lay

Italian Artist Creates Dreamlike Digital Collages That Blur The Line Between Real And Unreal

Artist Takes A Critical Look At Modern Society Through His Thought-Provoking Illustrations

Tattoos of Semicolons Offer Love and Hope to Those Struggling with Mental Health Issues

Matt Midgley Paints Razor‑sharp Geometric Acrylics So Precise They Barely Look Hand‑mad

Love. Protect. Cripples: Stunning AI Artworks by Ümüt Yildiz

The Superb Game Concept Artworks by Yinzheng

An Artist Transforms Everyday Items In These Amazing Paper Sculptures

Tattooing Freckles On Your Face Is The New Beauty Craze, And They Look Surprisingly Beautiful

"PURE CHAOS": The Superb Crypto Pop Artworks of Anna Louise Simpson

Inspiring Beautiful Illustrated Portraits By Janice Sung

An Artist Paints Tiny Masterpieces Inside Her Empty Altoids Tins

Indonesian Artist Dhany Pramata Creates Comics That Most 80s-90s Kids Will Relate To

3D Artist Refreshes The Image Of These Artists Of The Past

Illustrator Perfectly Captures The Beauty Of Single Life

Artist Pays Homage To Classic Video Games With Awesome Oil Paintings

This Is Your Brain On Drugs: The Anti-Addiction Posters By Meaghan Li

Stunning Art Created On A Frozen Lake Baikal

"Biosphere": The Best Images from the 2025 Belfast Photo Festival

Looney Tunes: The Original Model Sheets

Renegade Hardware: The Near Future Ilustrated By Daniel Isles