Homer Hadley Hickam, Jr. (born February 19, 1943) is an American author, Vietnam veteran, and a former NASA engineer. His autobiographical novelRocket Boys: A Memoir, was a No. 1 New York Times Best Seller, is studied in many American and international school systems, and was the basis for the 1999 film October Sky. Hickam has also written a number of best-selling memoirs and novels including the "Josh Thurlow" historical fiction novels. His books have been translated into several languages.
Early life and education
Homer H. Hickam, Jr. is the second son of Homer, Sr. and Elsie Gardener Hickam (née Lavender). He was raised in the family home located in Coalwood, West Virginia and graduated from Big Creek High School in 1960. While there, he and a group of boys started building rockets, calling themselves "The Big Creek Missile Agency" (BCMA). After working on finding the best way to build rockets, they took their designs to the 1960 National Science Fair, where the BCMA won a gold and silver medal in the area of propulsion.
Homer (Ancient Greek: Ὅμηρος[hómɛːros], Hómēros) is best known as the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey. He was believed by the ancient Greeks to have been the first and greatest of the epic poets. Author of the first known literature of Europe, he is central to the Western canon.
When he lived, as well as whether he lived at all, is unknown. Herodotus estimates that Homer lived no more than 400 years before his own time, which would place him at around 850 BCE or later.Pseudo-Herodotus estimates that he was born 622 years before Xerxes I placed a pontoon bridge over the Hellespont in 480 BCE, which would place him at 1102 BCE, 168 years after the fall of Troy in 1270 BCE. These two end points are 252 years apart, representative of the differences in dates given by the other sources.
The importance of Homer to the ancient Greeks is described in Plato's Republic, which portrays him as the protos didaskalos, "first teacher", of the tragedians, the hegemon paideias, "leader of Greek culture", and the ten Hellada pepaideukon, "teacher of [all] Greece". Homer's works, which are about fifty percent speeches, provided models in persuasive speaking and writing that were emulated throughout the ancient and medieval Greek worlds.
Fragments of Homer account for nearly half of all identifiable Greek literary papyrus finds in Egypt.
"Treehouse of Horror VI" is the sixth episode of The Simpsons'seventh season and the sixth episode in the Treehouse of Horror series. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on October 29, 1995, and contains three self-contained segments. In "Attack of the 50 Foot Eyesores", an ionic storm brings Springfield's oversized advertisements and billboards to life and they begin attacking the town. The second segment, "Nightmare on Evergreen Terrace" is a parody of the A Nightmare on Elm Street film series, in which Groundskeeper Willie (resembling Freddy Krueger) attacks schoolchildren in their sleep. In the third and final segment, "Homer3", Homer finds himself trapped in a three dimensional world. It was inspired by The Twilight Zone episode "Little Girl Lost." The segments were written by John Swartzwelder, Steve Tompkins and David S. Cohen respectively.
The first version of the episode was very long, so it featured a very short opening sequence and did not include several trademarks established in previous Treehouse of Horror episodes. "Homer3", pitched by executive producer Bill Oakley, features three dimensional computer animation provided by Pacific Data Images (PDI). In the final scene of the episode, Homer is sent to the real world in the first ever live-action scene in The Simpsons. "Attack of the 50-Foot Eyesores" includes a cameo appearance from Paul Anka, who sings the song "Just Don't Look".
Homer is a town in Banks County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,141 at the 2010 census. The town of Homer has a mayor, Doug Cheek, and five councilpersons, Sandra Garrison, Jerry Payne, Chris Tucker, Keven Cape, and Betty Boarders. The town is the county seat of Banks County.
History
Homer was founded in 1858 as seat for the newly established Banks County. Homer was incorporated as a town in 1859, and its first courthouse was built in 1863.
Homer is among the earliest to hold the world record for an Easter egg hunt - 80,000 eggs, listed in the 1985 Guinness Book of World Records. The event in the small town of 1,100 people is an Easter Sunday tradition that has lasted 47 years. The egg hunt each year draws about 5,000 egg hunters, children and adults. Even though it no longer holds the record, Homer has long touted its annual hunt as the world's largest.
Homer Hickam, author of the "Rocket Boys", talks about making his first rocket. His book inspired the 1999 film October Sky.
published: 25 Dec 2020
Homer Hickam - Rocket Boys (West Virginia Tribute)
A #westvirginia tribute to Homer Hickam author of #Rocketboys and great West Virginian!
https://www.facebook.com/WVCinema
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiAyS-zQ9pIn0scxdOKv3Uw (Subscribe)
published: 17 Oct 2021
Rocket Boy Comes Home: A Q&A with Homer Hickam - November 5, 2021
In this week’s Keeping ConnectED, the 2022 West Virginia Teacher of the Year Brian Casto sits down with West Virginia native and award-winning author Homer Hickam to reflect on his experiences growing up in McDowell County and his hopes for students as they pursue careers in STEAM disciplines. Additionally, he discusses his decision to donate proceeds from his new book, “Don’t Blow Yourself Up,” toward the H.M. “Mike” Adams Memorial Scholarship, which will benefit West Virginia students who wish to attend Space Camp.
published: 05 Nov 2021
Woman loses NASA internship after profanity-laced tweets
A woman lands an internship with NASA then loses her spot because she used some graphic language.
published: 23 Aug 2018
October Sky (6/11) Movie CLIP - Homer Proves His Innocence (1999) HD
October Sky movie clips: http://j.mp/1Jcn5VR
BUY THE MOVIE: http://amzn.to/s676Ic
Don't miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u2y6pr
CLIP DESCRIPTION:
When Homer (Jake Gyllenhaal) proves to Principal Turner (Chris Ellis) that his rocket didn't start the fire, he gets re-enrolled in school.
FILM DESCRIPTION:
NASA engineer Homer H. Hickam, Jr.'s autobiography provided the basis for this drama about a teenager coming of age at the dawn of the space race. In 1957, Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a high school student in Coalwood, West Virginia when the Soviet Union launches Sputnik, the first man-made satellite. While most of his friends and neighbors react with fear or distrust, Homer is instantly fascinated and begins studying everything he can find on jet and rocket design. Whil...
published: 31 May 2011
Homer Hickam talks about Coalwood, WV and Sputnik (1 of 3)
This interview took place in October of 2002.
A young man in a small West Virginia coal town dreams of building rockets to outer space as he witnesses Sputnik flying overhead. A perfect Hollywood opening scene, the story behind the hit film October Sky is all the more remarkable because it is drawn from the real life of former engineer Homer Hickam.
Hickam is interviewed by Ohio University chemical engineering professor Dr. Nicholas Dinos.
1/3 InTouch with Homer Hickam
published: 10 Mar 2008
Homer Hickam on Meeting JFK
Homer Hickam, a former NASA Engineer, remembers the time he met JFK. Hickam wrote the "Rocket Boys" books which inspired the 1999 film October Sky.
published: 25 Dec 2020
Homer Hickam Raw Interview
Homer Hickam Raw Interview
published: 26 Oct 2021
Homer Hickam on Space Force
Former NASA Engineer Homer Hickam shares his thoughts on Space Force.
published: 25 Dec 2020
Homer Hickam talks about building rockets and the October Sky Festival (3 of 3)
This interview took place in October of 2002.
A young man in a small West Virginia coal town dreams of building rockets to outer space as he witnesses Sputnik flying overhead. A perfect Hollywood opening scene, the story behind the hit film October Sky is all the more remarkable because it is drawn from the real life of former engineer Homer Hickam.
Hickam is interviewed by Ohio University chemical engineering professor Dr. Nicholas Dinos.
3/3 InTouch with Homer Hickam
A #westvirginia tribute to Homer Hickam author of #Rocketboys and great West Virginian!
https://www.facebook.com/WVCinema
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiAy...
A #westvirginia tribute to Homer Hickam author of #Rocketboys and great West Virginian!
https://www.facebook.com/WVCinema
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiAyS-zQ9pIn0scxdOKv3Uw (Subscribe)
A #westvirginia tribute to Homer Hickam author of #Rocketboys and great West Virginian!
https://www.facebook.com/WVCinema
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiAyS-zQ9pIn0scxdOKv3Uw (Subscribe)
In this week’s Keeping ConnectED, the 2022 West Virginia Teacher of the Year Brian Casto sits down with West Virginia native and award-winning author Homer Hick...
In this week’s Keeping ConnectED, the 2022 West Virginia Teacher of the Year Brian Casto sits down with West Virginia native and award-winning author Homer Hickam to reflect on his experiences growing up in McDowell County and his hopes for students as they pursue careers in STEAM disciplines. Additionally, he discusses his decision to donate proceeds from his new book, “Don’t Blow Yourself Up,” toward the H.M. “Mike” Adams Memorial Scholarship, which will benefit West Virginia students who wish to attend Space Camp.
In this week’s Keeping ConnectED, the 2022 West Virginia Teacher of the Year Brian Casto sits down with West Virginia native and award-winning author Homer Hickam to reflect on his experiences growing up in McDowell County and his hopes for students as they pursue careers in STEAM disciplines. Additionally, he discusses his decision to donate proceeds from his new book, “Don’t Blow Yourself Up,” toward the H.M. “Mike” Adams Memorial Scholarship, which will benefit West Virginia students who wish to attend Space Camp.
October Sky movie clips: http://j.mp/1Jcn5VR
BUY THE MOVIE: http://amzn.to/s676Ic
Don't miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u2y6pr
CLIP DESCRIPTION:
...
This interview took place in October of 2002.
A young man in a small West Virginia coal town dreams of building rockets to outer space as he witnesses Sputnik f...
This interview took place in October of 2002.
A young man in a small West Virginia coal town dreams of building rockets to outer space as he witnesses Sputnik flying overhead. A perfect Hollywood opening scene, the story behind the hit film October Sky is all the more remarkable because it is drawn from the real life of former engineer Homer Hickam.
Hickam is interviewed by Ohio University chemical engineering professor Dr. Nicholas Dinos.
1/3 InTouch with Homer Hickam
This interview took place in October of 2002.
A young man in a small West Virginia coal town dreams of building rockets to outer space as he witnesses Sputnik flying overhead. A perfect Hollywood opening scene, the story behind the hit film October Sky is all the more remarkable because it is drawn from the real life of former engineer Homer Hickam.
Hickam is interviewed by Ohio University chemical engineering professor Dr. Nicholas Dinos.
1/3 InTouch with Homer Hickam
This interview took place in October of 2002.
A young man in a small West Virginia coal town dreams of building rockets to outer space as he witnesses Sputnik f...
This interview took place in October of 2002.
A young man in a small West Virginia coal town dreams of building rockets to outer space as he witnesses Sputnik flying overhead. A perfect Hollywood opening scene, the story behind the hit film October Sky is all the more remarkable because it is drawn from the real life of former engineer Homer Hickam.
Hickam is interviewed by Ohio University chemical engineering professor Dr. Nicholas Dinos.
3/3 InTouch with Homer Hickam
This interview took place in October of 2002.
A young man in a small West Virginia coal town dreams of building rockets to outer space as he witnesses Sputnik flying overhead. A perfect Hollywood opening scene, the story behind the hit film October Sky is all the more remarkable because it is drawn from the real life of former engineer Homer Hickam.
Hickam is interviewed by Ohio University chemical engineering professor Dr. Nicholas Dinos.
3/3 InTouch with Homer Hickam
A #westvirginia tribute to Homer Hickam author of #Rocketboys and great West Virginian!
https://www.facebook.com/WVCinema
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiAyS-zQ9pIn0scxdOKv3Uw (Subscribe)
In this week’s Keeping ConnectED, the 2022 West Virginia Teacher of the Year Brian Casto sits down with West Virginia native and award-winning author Homer Hickam to reflect on his experiences growing up in McDowell County and his hopes for students as they pursue careers in STEAM disciplines. Additionally, he discusses his decision to donate proceeds from his new book, “Don’t Blow Yourself Up,” toward the H.M. “Mike” Adams Memorial Scholarship, which will benefit West Virginia students who wish to attend Space Camp.
This interview took place in October of 2002.
A young man in a small West Virginia coal town dreams of building rockets to outer space as he witnesses Sputnik flying overhead. A perfect Hollywood opening scene, the story behind the hit film October Sky is all the more remarkable because it is drawn from the real life of former engineer Homer Hickam.
Hickam is interviewed by Ohio University chemical engineering professor Dr. Nicholas Dinos.
1/3 InTouch with Homer Hickam
This interview took place in October of 2002.
A young man in a small West Virginia coal town dreams of building rockets to outer space as he witnesses Sputnik flying overhead. A perfect Hollywood opening scene, the story behind the hit film October Sky is all the more remarkable because it is drawn from the real life of former engineer Homer Hickam.
Hickam is interviewed by Ohio University chemical engineering professor Dr. Nicholas Dinos.
3/3 InTouch with Homer Hickam
Homer Hadley Hickam, Jr. (born February 19, 1943) is an American author, Vietnam veteran, and a former NASA engineer. His autobiographical novelRocket Boys: A Memoir, was a No. 1 New York Times Best Seller, is studied in many American and international school systems, and was the basis for the 1999 film October Sky. Hickam has also written a number of best-selling memoirs and novels including the "Josh Thurlow" historical fiction novels. His books have been translated into several languages.
Early life and education
Homer H. Hickam, Jr. is the second son of Homer, Sr. and Elsie Gardener Hickam (née Lavender). He was raised in the family home located in Coalwood, West Virginia and graduated from Big Creek High School in 1960. While there, he and a group of boys started building rockets, calling themselves "The Big Creek Missile Agency" (BCMA). After working on finding the best way to build rockets, they took their designs to the 1960 National Science Fair, where the BCMA won a gold and silver medal in the area of propulsion.
With his past series of books set in Coalwood, West Virginia, New York Times best-selling author Homer Hickam won the praise of critics and the devotion of a huge national readership ... Homer Hickam is ...
Gyllenhaal was only 17 when he filmed Joe Johnston’s uplifting biopic about future NASA engineer Homer Hickam. The wholesome if occasionally downbeat story pits rocket-loving Homer against his ...
The year 1999 is now rightfully regarded as one of the best in the history of film; one picture that often gets lost in the conversation is Joe Johnston's tender, earnest biopic based on Homer Hickam's autobiographical Rocket Boys.
Hard to believe it has been half a hundred years since I got into the newspaper business. Oh, not all at the Daily Telegraph. On the other hand, that is not quite true ... And they were ... But remember — Homer Hickam is the real “rocket boy” in these parts.
Biopics are inspiring in ways that other genre of films simply aren’t ...Einstein and Eddington ... This is true story of a former NASA engineer Homer Hickam who was inspired by Russia’s Sputnik, a deeply motivational movie for growing minds.
This film was based on the true story of former NASA engineer Homer H. Hickam and his struggles as a teenager in the 1950s pursuing his love of rocketry while growing up in a coal mining community in West Virginia.