b'dr. Robert Hutchings goddard, born in Massachusetts in 1882, was a fearless visionaryan accomplished physicist whose legacy powers all modern space travel. At 16, he saw H.G. Wells sci-fi classic the War of the Worlds and began to imagine space travel. twenty years later, he believed the implausible trip to outer space could be achieved through his invention of the liquid-fuel rocket. He was correct. Before 1920, he had developed most of the basic concepts in rocket and jet propulsion, and, by 1926, he had designed, built, and launched the worlds first liquid-fuel rocket. Championed by the legendary aviator Charles Lindbergh, Goddards genius was recognized and supported by daniel Guggenheim and his son, Harry, as well as the Smithsonian institute. in addition to his research, the Guggenheims sponsored Goddards move from Worcester, Massachusetts, where his rocket launch trials frightened his neighbors, to the open expanses of Roswell, new Mexicoand back again to Clark University, where he taught and conducted his research. Goddards greatest engineering contributions were made during the 1920s and 1930s. He was awarded more than 200 patents in rocket technology, most after his death in 1945, as well as a Gold Medal from the 86 thCongress in 1959. His inventions formed the basis for the United States space program, and made possible a nations dream of travel to the moon, mars, and beyond.dR. goddARd AT THE CHAlk BoARdClARk unIvERsITY, WoRCEsTER, mAssACHusETTs, 1924'