Sputnik: The Beep Heard Around the World

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Deborah Rowland


Political Cartoon: Perspective of two days, before and after the launch of Sputnik, Oct. 4, 1957 and Oct. 5, 1957
SputnikBleepBAR257.pvw.jpgPolitical Cartoon: Perspective of two days, before and after the launch of Sputnik, Oct. 4, 1957 and Oct. 5, 1957

Political Cartoon: Perspective of two days, before and after the launch of Sputnik, Oct. 4, 1957 and Oct. 5, 1957

Uncle Sam wakes up to the beeping of Sputnik as it orbits around America

Download: SputnikAwake_at_last__ZCTZJiL.mhtml

CBS News report: A look back at the launch of Sputnik and how Americans felt

Download: How_Sputnik_Changed_America_-_CBS_News.mhtml

Summary

Cartoon shows officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force saluting a scientist, who walks by carrying a briefcase labeled "Nuclear Research." Reflects the new emphasis on the importance of scientific research (especially nuclear research) that arose in the United States after the Russians announced, on October 4, 1957, that they had successfully launched the first artificial satellite, launching fears that the United States was falling behind in the arms race.


Download: Attention___Library_of_Congress.mhtml

US government documents following the launch of Sputnik

Download: Government_reaction_to_SputnikDocuments--US.mhtml

Nuke Map: why people were so afraid of the possibility of a satellite reaching our air space 

Download: NUKEMAP_by_Alex_Wellerstein.mhtml



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