I guess it’s fair to say there were two distinct phases in my life in West Virginia: everything that happened before October 5, 1957 and everything that happened afterward.
That particular date may not quite have the impact of recognition on readers that it once had, but for a generation it was almost up there with December 7, 1941. Homer is referring to the launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union. It was the first artificial, man-made satellite to ever placed into orbit. That date effective marks the beginning of the Space Age; the modern epoch of communications technology and the rise of the computer as essential components of modern life.
"To get out of here, you've got to show your dad you're smarter than he thinks. I believe you can build a rocket. He doesn't. I want you to show him I'm right and he's wrong. Is that too much to ask?"
The speaker is Homer’s mother. She hates the coal country of West Virginia and resents the imposition mining places upon the successive generations. Part of her unwavering belief in her son’s capacity to do something seemingly as unlikely as building a rocket is situated in her desperate need to see him get out. At the same time, however, a simmering tension exists between her and her husband that also drive her to want “Sonny” to prove the older Homer wrong.
“This reporter is telling one and all who reads these words. If you have any hope of understanding what the grand and glorious future holds for all who dare seize it, you must come to see the rocket boys of Coalwood.”
The context of this newspaper report by a reporter witnessing firsthand both the successes and failures of the Big Creek Missile Agency is everything. Like many small towns in 1958—or 2018—by August everyone’s attention was already starting to turn to high school football. This is especially so in in this case because the local team was of championship caliber but had been notoriously declared ineligible to compete for West Virginia’s championship because their schedule was too heavily weighted with opponents from Virginia. The love of Homer’s life breaks his heart by agreeing to a date with a football player. Into this football-rich environment comes the BCMA and almost overnight—due to the newspaper coverage—the rocket boys suddenly become celebrities to everyone and attractive to girls. It’s a very big deal.
“We should go to the moon.”
Homer travels to neighboring town to buy a suit to wear to the science fair and it just so happens that a young Senator is scheduled at the same time in the same place to give a speech as part of his campaign to get elected President. The appearance falls somewhat flat and so the Senator quick adjusts by asking if anyone has any questions. Again, the response is tepid, so Homer’s arm shoots up in the air and he asks the candidate what he thinks America should do about space. To which the candidate asks him the same question back. Homer responds immediately.
“If I’m elected president I think maybe we will go to the moon.”
After a bit more back and forth about what America should do in space with several miners suggesting that perhaps the moon could be mined, the candidate finally answers Homer’s question.
