Homer Hickam

Date of Birth: February 19, 1943

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Biography

Homer H. Hickam Jr. is an American author best known for his memoir “Rocket Boys,” which was later adapted into the film “October Sky.” Born and raised in Coalwood, West Virginia, Hickam’s early life was heavily influenced by the coal mining industry. His fascination with rocketry began as a teenager, leading him to build rockets with his friends, an endeavor that won them a National Science Fair gold medal. This passion for engineering and space exploration guided him to pursue a career in aerospace engineering, culminating in a stint with NASA as a spacecraft design engineer. In addition to “Rocket Boys,” Hickam has authored several other books, including “The Coalwood Way,” “Sky of Stone,” and the “Josh Thurlow” series. His writing often draws from his rich life experiences and his deep understanding of science and technology.

5 Interesting Facts about Homer Hickam

1. Homer Hickam served in the Vietnam War as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

2. He worked as an engineer for NASA, contributing to the Hubble Space Telescope deployment.

3. “Rocket Boys” was selected by the New York Times as one of its Great Books of 1998.

4. Hickam has received numerous honors, including the University of Alabama’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

5. He is an avid scuba diver and has written a guidebook on the subject.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Homer Hickam

1. “A rocket won’t fly unless somebody lights the fuse.”

2. “No, we do not have a future, I decided. Not unless we can build our own.”

3. “All I’ve done is give you a book. You have to have the courage to learn what’s inside it.”

4. “To accomplish big things, I am convinced you must first dream big dreams.”

5. “Don’t blow yourself up. While it’s true that a rocket won’t fly unless someone lights the fuse, it is also true that it won’t fly if someone blows it up.”