"Model Rockets" by Steve Adams

Model Rockets

Back where I grew up, my old shop in the barn still reminds me of something out of an Indiana Jones movie.  Today, it is filled with cobwebs and inventions from 50 years ago, but in the early 80’s, it was amazing.

The neighborhood kids and I used to organize capture the flag events with as many as 20 kids.  My shop served as a “Command Center” where my friend and I used maps and radios to track the battle.  One day, I hatched this plan to add Estes Rockets to the game.

Using old TTL Logic chips, I built a Ground Launch Sequencer to automatically launch the rocket after my friend and I simultaneously turned our Launch Keys and the sequencer reached 0 on the countdown.  If the rocket landed close to someone in the battle, they were out of the game.

Today, I use the old sequencer as a prop when I talk to school classes, but, back then, the device was a novelty that was most certainly not inspired by either TikTok or AI!

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