Robert Goddard with an early rocket. Image courtesy of NASA

The ancient Chinese were the earliest known rocketeers, employing rockets in ceremonial fireworks. Throughout history, many attempts were made to use the rocket as a military weapon. However, the difficulty of controlling the rocket’s flight led to its dismissal as an ineffective weapon.

This attitude began to change in 1926 when physics professor Robert Goddard launched a 10-foot liquid-fuel rocket. The rocket, named Nell, stayed aloft for less than three seconds, but its success inspired Goddard to continue experimenting with bigger and better designs.