This Week In 1962
Spying on American citizens was all over the news last week, as details of some National Security Agency (NSA) programs came to light. You might be tempted to think that 1962 was a simpler time with more liberty, but you might be wrong. In 1962, IBM delivered a computer known as Stretch-Harvest to that same NSA. In those days, the enemy was what we now call Russia, but was then formally know as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). We needed the best data on what they were doing and this computer delivered it. Stretch-Harvest was top-secret and was a mammoth machine. Constructed of dozens of refrigerator-sized cabinets, the entire system weighed as much as 75,000 pounds! Spying has always been about knowing everything about your enemy and making sure they know nothing about you…only the technology changes.
The Class of ‘62
June is high school graduation time, and 1962 was no different. Check out what’s happening (or happened) with a few Classes of ‘62 around the country. You’ll find memories, music, photos, yearbooks, and maybe even spot someone you know!
- Belleville High School, Belleville,New Jersey,
- Landon High School, Jacksonville, Florida (on US-23),
- Mason City High School, Mason City, Iowa,
- Moline High School, Moline, Illinois (on US-6),
- R J Reynolds Senior High School, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
1962 In Sports
On June 17, 1962, Jack Nicklaus beat Arnold Palmer by three strokes in a playoff to win the U.S. Open. But earlier that year, Arnold Palmer became the first man to win three Masters Tournaments. He won it in a 3-man playoff, which was also the first in the history of the Masters. And as if that weren’t good enough, he would win a fourth only two years later. He is the only person to win four Masters Tournaments. Here’s a short biography of Arnold.
1962 Comic Buy of the Week
scan from Grand Comics Database
Archie’s Madhouse was a slightly off-the-beaten-path comic from the publisher of Archie. It seldom had any of the Archie gang, but it always had strange humor. Martians, monsters, teenagers running the world, superhero parodies, and science fiction all featured, written and drawn by the usual Archie writers and artists. It had a fast pace and in retrospect, it reminds me a bit of TV’s Laugh-In that came a few years later. One of it’s claims to fame is that issue #22 introduced Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch, who has since starred in several TV series.
Guest Blog of the Week
I know I’ve mentioned it before, but Eccentric Roadside always has some fun photos and information, much of it retro. This is where I discovered the world's tallest stack of used oil cans, the Neon Museum, and lots of great looking abandoned buildings. I especially enjoy his Eccentric Street Name of the Week, featuring odd street signs.
US-23 Featured Trip Segment
Lighthouses, lakeshore, dinosaurs, and Paul Bunyan? Yes, that’s what you’ll find as US-23 travels the beautiful shore of Lake Huron on the second day of our US-23 trip.
Museum of the Week
Since you like this virtural roadtrip, you might like a virtual museum, too. Toledo’s Attic is just the place. This online virtual museum has all kinds of information on Toledo and Northwest Ohio from the late 19th through the late 20th centuries. Click over to historical essays, research articles, photo galleries, interactive media, video, and even complete virtual exhibitions.
US-6 Featured Trip Segment
A NEW post this week! Our 12th day along US-6 takes into Cleveland, Ohio where there are more than enough museums to keep us busy. Plus, some more leisurely natural areas and even a presidential monument.
Other National Lands
Last week I mentioned Roadtrip-'62’s ™ discussion of our National Parks and other lands. Don’t forget to visit part two of the National Lands discussion. This focuses on National Forests, Wildlife Refuges, and Landmarks, showing the wide variety of sites of national importance.
About Roadtrip-'62 ™
Video of the Week
The Class of 1962 of Servite Catholic High School, Anaheim, California. This was the first graduating class from a brand new school.
Our front page changes frequently, so you may have missed some fun stuff if you don't check in frequently. Check the Home Page Archives for all the previous iterations of our front page. Discover links, videos, roadtrip suggestions, and lots of news from 1962!
All photos by the author and Copyright © 2013, 2021 - Donald Dale Milne, except as noted.
All other content Copyright © 2013, 2021 - Donald Dale Milne.
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