Public talk, 2011-12-07, 8pm, Davenport Hotel, "Apollo 11"

robindch

The ISS's December lecture will be held on Wednesday 7th, when Kieran Timmons, Aoife Long & Bill Matthews will talk about the Apollo 11 project, the story of the successful mission which placed Neil Armstrong on the surface of the moon and the events which led up to and shaped that “giant leap” for mankind.

Date: Wednesday, December 7th
Time: 8:00pm
Where: Davenport Hotel, Dublin 2
Admission: €3 for members and concessions; €6 for non-members.

In 1961 America launched a man into space on a mission lasting mere minutes. Yet just three weeks later President John F Kennedy committed the United States to landing a man on the moon and bringing him safely home to Earth before the end of the decade. This challenge amazed even those working on the nascent space program. Nothing existed in 1961 that could reach the distant moon, except perhaps a group of daring test pilots and a national will to succeed. Yet within months hundreds of thousands of engineers, technicians and countless other workers began to prepare to do the impossible. This is the story of how man’s most far reaching journey began with those few words, and how success was achieved. But why did JFK choose to challenge the USA to this endeavour? The programme reached a climax in July 1969 when, watched by millions around the globe on flickering black and white televisions, Neil Armstrong prepared to set foot on the surface of the moon.

Kieran Timmons, Aoife Long and Bill Matthews are members of Engineers Toastmasters Club. This is part of the Toastmasters International Organisation, which promotes public speaking and communication skills.

Kieran Timmons is an engineer, a motorcyclist and a private pilot and has had a lifelong interest in the Apollo programme. He rates meeting Neil Armstrong in 2003 as a particular highlight. Aoife Long is also an engineer. She comes from Cork and has a keen interest in popular science. In her spare time she enjoys jogging, going to existing and former boyband gigs, and also moving house. Bill Matthews is a psychologist and a member of the Irish Skeptics Society. He has a particular interest in this story because he remembers a time before I-Pods: before computers: before television: before transistors even, when cutting edge technology was valve driven radio, and very many of the households in this country did not even have electricity.

magicbastarder

i met neil armstrong. maybe i should charge people to talk to me too.

sensibleken

I am also a motorcyclist. maybe i should speak at this too

magicbastarder

we're not helping, are we?

Newaglish

robindch wrote: »

Aoife Long is also an engineer. She comes from Cork and has a keen interest in popular science. In her spare time she enjoys jogging, going to existing and former boyband gigs, and also moving house

what

sensibleken

Newaglish wrote: »

what

My interests are....church, playing with my brother Tod, and diabetes

Daemonic

magicbastarder wrote: »

i met neil armstrong. maybe i should charge people to talk to me too.

Really??

Beruthiel

robindch wrote: »

He has a particular interest in this story because he remembers a time before I-Pods: before computers: before television: before transistors even, when cutting edge technology was valve driven radio, and very many of the households in this country did not even have electricity.

And when you had to leave the house to the toilet which was down the back of the garden.
Not fun in the winter let me tell you!
I believe I am also qualified for this debate.

My interests are flowers and not moving house.

MisterEpicurus

robindch wrote: »

Aoife Long is also an engineer. She comes from Cork and has a keen interest in popular science. In her spare time she enjoys jogging, going to existing and former boyband gigs, and also moving house.

This HAS to be a joke.

robindch

These good folks are Toastmasters. Light-hearted, relaxed, out for a bit of a laugh, nice easy christmas fare

/sheesh

sensibleken

robindch wrote: »

These good folks are Toastmasters. Light-hearted, relaxed, out for a bit of a laugh, nice easy christmas fare

/sheesh

does that mean toasties will be the only food on offer?

magicbastarder

Daemonic wrote: »

Really??

yes - at least €3, i reckon.