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July 20th, 2005
I've been thinking about James Doohan all day today, ever since I heard he passed away this morning.
Several years ago, I read an article which indicated that if you asked a typical engineer, especially in the aerospace industry, to name the one person who had the greatest influence on them going into that field, the person they would most likely name is Mr. Montgomery Scott, or "Scotty," of the starship Enterprise. I find it ironic that the Engineer's Avatar for the last two generations never actually existed -- except, of course, in the hearts and minds of a few million devoted fans.
I am also struck by the fact that Doohan passed away on the anniversary of one of the milestones in our journey into space -- the first successful moon landing, by the Apollo 11 crew (Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, and Micheal Collins). This is the second time in a year that we've had major space-related personalities die on the day (or anniversary) of a major space-related event -- the other one being Mercury 7 astronaut Gordon Cooper passing away on the day that Space Ship One made her second successful 100-km-plus flight and claimed the Ansari X-prize.
( More rambling )
James Doohan, heaven knows that after 85 years you've earned a rest... but you'll be missed, and I suspect that engineers and other fans the world over are mourning your loss, even as they continue to pursue the dreams you helped plant within them.
Warp speed, Mr. Scott.
Second star to the left, and straight on 'till morning...
Several years ago, I read an article which indicated that if you asked a typical engineer, especially in the aerospace industry, to name the one person who had the greatest influence on them going into that field, the person they would most likely name is Mr. Montgomery Scott, or "Scotty," of the starship Enterprise. I find it ironic that the Engineer's Avatar for the last two generations never actually existed -- except, of course, in the hearts and minds of a few million devoted fans.
I am also struck by the fact that Doohan passed away on the anniversary of one of the milestones in our journey into space -- the first successful moon landing, by the Apollo 11 crew (Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, and Micheal Collins). This is the second time in a year that we've had major space-related personalities die on the day (or anniversary) of a major space-related event -- the other one being Mercury 7 astronaut Gordon Cooper passing away on the day that Space Ship One made her second successful 100-km-plus flight and claimed the Ansari X-prize.
( More rambling )
James Doohan, heaven knows that after 85 years you've earned a rest... but you'll be missed, and I suspect that engineers and other fans the world over are mourning your loss, even as they continue to pursue the dreams you helped plant within them.
Warp speed, Mr. Scott.
Second star to the left, and straight on 'till morning...
I've been thinking about James Doohan all day today, ever since I heard he passed away this morning.
Several years ago, I read an article which indicated that if you asked a typical engineer, especially in the aerospace industry, to name the one person who had the greatest influence on them going into that field, the person they would most likely name is Mr. Montgomery Scott, or "Scotty," of the starship Enterprise. I find it ironic that the Engineer's Avatar for the last two generations never actually existed -- except, of course, in the hearts and minds of a few million devoted fans.
I am also struck by the fact that Doohan passed away on the anniversary of one of the milestones in our journey into space -- the first successful moon landing, by the Apollo 11 crew (Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, and Micheal Collins). This is the second time in a year that we've had major space-related personalities die on the day (or anniversary) of a major space-related event -- the other one being Mercury 7 astronaut Gordon Cooper passing away on the day that Space Ship One made her second successful 100-km-plus flight and claimed the Ansari X-prize.
( More rambling )
James Doohan, heaven knows that after 85 years you've earned a rest... but you'll be missed, and I suspect that engineers and other fans the world over are mourning your loss, even as they continue to pursue the dreams you helped plant within them.
Warp speed, Mr. Scott.
Second star to the left, and straight on 'till morning...
Several years ago, I read an article which indicated that if you asked a typical engineer, especially in the aerospace industry, to name the one person who had the greatest influence on them going into that field, the person they would most likely name is Mr. Montgomery Scott, or "Scotty," of the starship Enterprise. I find it ironic that the Engineer's Avatar for the last two generations never actually existed -- except, of course, in the hearts and minds of a few million devoted fans.
I am also struck by the fact that Doohan passed away on the anniversary of one of the milestones in our journey into space -- the first successful moon landing, by the Apollo 11 crew (Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, and Micheal Collins). This is the second time in a year that we've had major space-related personalities die on the day (or anniversary) of a major space-related event -- the other one being Mercury 7 astronaut Gordon Cooper passing away on the day that Space Ship One made her second successful 100-km-plus flight and claimed the Ansari X-prize.
( More rambling )
James Doohan, heaven knows that after 85 years you've earned a rest... but you'll be missed, and I suspect that engineers and other fans the world over are mourning your loss, even as they continue to pursue the dreams you helped plant within them.
Warp speed, Mr. Scott.
Second star to the left, and straight on 'till morning...