Readers Remember

It was October 1957 and the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik, had been successfully launched by the Soviets. I remember that cool and clear night vividly. I was a 7-year-old boy sitting on the warm hood of the family car next to my parents and uncle, scanning the heavens for a glimpse of Sputnik’s sun-reflecting visage. Most of the neighbors were also outside, and I could sense their awe and perhaps some fear as well.

Someone across the street shouted, “There it is!”

There it was indeed, a slow-moving but discernible point of light that, once spotted, clearly stood out from the motionless stars and blinking aircraft.

BILL R. OLINGER

Loma Linda

In 1957 I was living with my grandmother high in the Nevada mountains off California 395. On Oct. 4, grandmother awakened me with the news that the Soviet Union had just launched a 184-pound satellite into space called Sputnik One.

She was distraught, absolutely sure that America was doomed. I’d been reading science fiction for three years and felt better prepared for this new era of space. With all the wisdom possible to a precocious 14-year-old, I assured her: “This isn’t the end, Grandma. It’s the beginning of a new age of miracles.”

GARY ANSORGE

Hawthorne

What do you recall most about the 20th century? In 200 words or less, send us your memories, comments or eyewitness accounts. We will publish as many as we can on this page until the end of the year. Write to Century, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or e-mail century@latimes.com. We regret we cannot acknowledge individual submissions. Letters may be edited for space.