Houston, We Have a Problem (With This Question)
So, you wanna know when someone first uttered the immortal words, "Houston, we have a problem"? Well, buckle up, space cadet, because we're about to embark on a thrilling journey through the annals of history (or at least the 1970s).
The Day the Earth Stood Still (Kind Of)
It was a dark and stormy night (actually, it was probably a perfectly ordinary day in Houston), and the Apollo 13 mission was cruising along, all chill and stuff. Then, bam! an oxygen tank explodes. Cue the dramatic music. It was like a bad episode of "MacGyver" but with way higher stakes.
Now, here's where things get a bit murky. The exact phrase was actually, "Okay, Houston, we've had a problem here." But Hollywood, being the drama queens they are, decided to simplify it for us mere mortals. So, "Houston, we have a problem" it became.
Who Said It, Anyway?
The unlucky soul who got to deliver this iconic line was none other than Jack Swigert, the Command Module Pilot. He was like the Han Solo of the Apollo 13 crew – cool under pressure, but probably wished he was somewhere else.
So, When Exactly Was This Epic Fail?
It all went down on April 13, 1970. So, if you're planning a themed party, now you know when to book the venue.
Bonus Fun Facts
- The Apollo 13 crew managed to survive the ordeal, which is basically the space equivalent of winning the lottery.
- There’s a movie about it, starring Tom Hanks. It's a tearjerker, but in a good way.
- The phrase "Houston, we have a problem" has become synonymous with any kind of disaster. So, next time your computer crashes, feel free to shout it out.
How To...
- How to impress your friends with space trivia: Mention the Apollo 13 incident and casually drop the fact that Jack Swigert was the one who said it.
- How to use the phrase correctly: Remember, it's for major problems only. Not for when you can't find your keys.
- How to survive a space mission: Probably best to leave that one to the professionals.
- How to watch a good movie: Check out "Apollo 13". It's a classic.
- How to avoid exploding oxygen tanks: Maybe don't pack any on your next flight.