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44 W o r c e s t e r 3 0 0 : C i t y o f I n n o v a t o r s "It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow." - Robert Hutchings Goddard (1882-1945) Robert Goddard's research led to the first liquid-propulsion rocket. A young Robert Goddard climbed his parents' cherry tree, looked to the stars and in an insightful moment found his life's purpose as he contemplated a device that would be able to ascend to Mars. On March 16, 1926, he successfully launched the world's first liquid-propulsion rocket. Fiy years aer that, orbiters and landers were sending back images from Mars in 1976. But Goddard, Worcester's native son, is practically unknown outside the NASA and aerospace communities. Charles Lindberg was inspired by Goddard's research and introduced him to the Smithsonian and the Guggenheim family, who paid for much of Space odyssey Goddard helped propel humankind to the heavens his ongoing research. e Webb telescope, launched Christmas day in 2021, will be able to look back to the origins of our solar system. It was constructed at NASA's Goddard Flight Center. Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, so admired Goddard that he carried a miniature copy of Goddard's autobiography in his space suit, and upon returning to earth, gied it to Goddard's widow and research partner Esther (Christine Kirsk Goddard), 20 years Goddard's junior. She read and organized his notes, photographed his work, stamped out the brush-fires caused by the launches and sewed the parachutes used in the launches. She also kept his account books. More important, perhaps, is Esther's vigilance in securing patent rights for his work, resulting in his receipt of 214 patents, 131 secured posthumously through her efforts. Four years from now marks the 100th anniversary of Goddard's launch. e event is worthy of commemoration and a monument, and an annual celebration of Worcester and Goddard's contribution to science and space exploration. It would be an ideal way to inspire our next generation of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, explorers, and those that dream big. – Charles Slatkin PHOTOS | WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM 1922-2021