Rocket man

[George K]

106 years ago:

Robert Goddard snags patent for liquid-fueled rocket

On June 14, 1914, the first patent for a liquid-fueled rocket design was granted to Dr. Robert Goddard, an American scientist and rocket pioneer.

In the patent, Goddard described a rocket fueled with liquid propellants (liquid nitrous oxide and gasoline) or with a solid fuel (explosive material).

In this same year, he was also granted a patent for a multi-stage rocket fueled with solid "explosive material." He would go on to launch the world's first liquid-fueled rocket in 1926.

[Copper]

And the Germans at Peenemünde were surprised to find that the US military had almost no interest in Mr. Goddard's work. They devoured every bit of it.