The History of Space

So today’s blog is about an amazing website that allows you to go back to the future (allow time to hum awesome theme song).  The website is http://archive.org/.  There is a tool on this website called the Way Back Machine that allows you to look at a website from inception until now.  In other words you can go back and look at what the future looked like in the year 2000.  The website I chose to look at is http://history.nasa.gov.  NASA holds a special place in my heart as I am from the Space Coast of Florida.  I have watched countless space shuttle missions and, even though I was young, I remember watching Challenger explode in the sky above me.  As well, both of my parents and I, have worked at the Kennedy Space Center on separate occasions.   With the recent passing of Neil Armstrong I have been looking back at the history of American Space Exploration.  When I saw this tool I knew I wanted to look at this website. 

The first snapshot that is available is from March 2^nd, 2000.  I was actually interning at the NASA Chief Counsel Office at the time.  The website is very simple.  The homepage is just a paragraph stating the mission of the website.  It is very easy to navigate.  There is a topic index and a key word search.  As you can imagine there is a lot of information and it is all listed alphabetically.  The search function did not work but that may be because I am using the Wayback Machine to view it.  When I do click on information for the Challenger incident it brings up various documents relating to the incident.  One of which is the transcript from prelaunch through the accident.  The last word spoken by the Pilot is “Uhoh”

I will use NASA history to guide me to the next look back.  The next incident occurred on Feb 1^st 2003 when the Space Shuttle Columbia blew up on reentry over Texas.   I looked at March 22, 2003 and the site has changed drastically.  The url now directs you to the NASA Headquarters page.  There is a History Tab that does not work.    The front page has a section titled “The latest news on the loss of Columbia and her Crew”.  The interface is not very user friendly.            

Through the next year and a half it appears that link would go back and forth from the History page to the NASA Headquarter Page.  On October 13, 2004 the site under goes another drastic remodel and is now titled the NASA History Office.  This is very pleasing to the eye.  There are scrolling pictures at the bottom and a Topical Index on the side.  It also has a very recognizable search button. This design is the same as the current web page. 

This website is an archival website and not an exhibit.  It uses a visual hierarchy to list broad topics.  Even the picture and videos are listed this way.  In their ‘about us’ description it does state that they do a variety of special Web exhibits.  I do not see any currently on this site.  This website is a good representation of NASA.  There is a lot of information and they have it easily accessible.   I feel I am privileged to have lived in an area with such rich History and to have worked at a place that sent Man to the Moon.  Even if it was a little before my time…      

History Blogs

On my search for other History Blogs I stumbled across a couple I really like.  The first is titled Adventures in History and can be found here:  http://history.writingwithtony.com/

I like that he covers everything from Baby Boomers to NASA.  His posts are short and have great visuals.   What caught my attention is the most recent post on his blog.  It is about a book that he reread about the Holocaust.  It seems that he learned something new and wanted to share it with those who read his blog.  He also listed eight different links that you could go to if you would like more information.  He writes about what he finds interesting in a way that may spark an interest for others. 

The second Blog I came across is Random Thoughts on History which can be found here:   http://randomthoughtsonhitory.blogspot.com

Despite its name the blog seems to focus on the Civil War era and Reconstruction.  I am always looking for a good historical book to read and he has a section titled “Just Finished Reading” in which, surprise, he reviews a book he has just finished reading.  The book reviews are a little long but I did find two books to add to my ever growing list of books to read.  Some of his posts are just random tidbits that he just came across and wanted to share.  I think a blog is a good outlet for random fact sharing and something I may soon be blogging as well.  That way those around me don’t have to be subject to my “So I am reading this book “ statements that always ends with me rambling on for ten minutes while a glazed look comes over their face.  

Digital History?

As I began my journey toward becoming a student again the first thing everyone asked me was ‘What’s your major’ and ‘What Class are you taking’.  After my answers I would always get blank looks.  I don’t know if it’s because I choose to get my Masters in History or if it’s because ‘Digital’ and ‘History’ were in the same sentence.  To be honest before the class started, I pretty much answered with a blanket statement using the words internet and archiving because I wasn’t sure I knew what it meant.  After reading Digital History and the article from Tech News I understand a little more what it means and how important it is.    To me, History is about stories.  Now in the Digital Age we have more stories than ever to read. 

While I was reading Digital History the one thing that interested me was how the amateur and professional sites both have a place on the internet.  Not only a place but I think that there is a need for both types.   Amateur historians have very specific interests and focus their online exhibits and websites on that subject.  Their passion for their subject creates a focused presentation of items closely related to that subject.  If it wasn’t for their passion we may not get such a detailed view of a certain moment in History.   Professional websites bring a more objective view but sometimes not as in depth

I always considered History to be relevant to the past but now I see the internet as a way for every person to write their history online.  Every person has the ability to share their story through commenting on a website, sharing a link on Facebook or Twitter or blogging about it.  What I thought was just a way to express yourself is in fact another chapter in your story.  You can create and shape your story by the things you choose to share.  I know that there has been negative feedback concerning the Facebook timeline but I think it is a great way to track your story.  The links that are shared and pictures that are commented on show that chapter in your life. 

I also began thinking about how I personally have experienced Digital History recently and I remembered the exhibit that I saw at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in DC.  While we were waiting for our time to enter we saw went through a special exhibit entitled “State of Deception:  The Power of Nazi Propaganda”   This exhibit showcased how the Nazi Party used new techniques and technologies to persuade the people of Germany.  This exhibit would have been powerful enough by itself but by using your cellphone you could have a Holocaust Survivor guide you through the exhibit.  You called a number and the guide told you the beginning of her story and then you were sent text messages throughout the exhibit asking you questions that related to the posters and the media that were on display.  The questions were thought provoking and really made you stop and read the details of each phase of the exhibit.  Because of the use of modern technology I took a lot more away from this exhibit then if I had just been walking through looking at German Propaganda Posters.  You really understood what the Nazi Party was trying to accomplish and the lengths they went through to get their message across.  At the end you received a call from the guide and she told you briefly about her imprisonment in a concentration camp and that she made it out alive.  I have to tell you my friends and I shed a few tears over her experiences. 

I see know how important it is for museums and historical sites to keep History interactive.  When the exhibit that you can travel to see is also online and with more features it would be hard to justify going to the actual museum.  Don’t get me wrong, I think it amazing the information that is at the public’s fingertips now, but something has to spark the interest to pursue the information.  In the digital age the past has to find its place and I think that evolution of social media is writing the next chapter of the story.