RIP Neil Armstrong, who was wrong

Julian D. A. Wiseman

Abstract: it was a giant leap for that man in particular, but a very small step for mankind.

Publication history: only at www.jdawiseman.com/papers/trivia/armstrong.html. Usual disclaimer and copyright terms apply.

Neil Armstrong, who died a few hours ago, and who was the first man on the moon a few decades ago, was wrong. He famously said that “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

But that was a huge step for Neil Armstrong, who will always be remembered for that step and that sentence.

And for mankind, also no. Apollo wrought little but itself; the useful space science has since been done by unmanned missions.