This week in history: 1969

The headlines from The Greenville Advocate this week in 1969, covered topics ranging from space exploration to advancements in highway safety technology. The week’s headlines include the historic moon landing and the introduction of Vascar speed devices in Alabama.

Astronauts on the Moon: In a picture viewed by millions of people all over the world, many of them seeing it the instant it happened, astronauts landed on and began exploring the surface of the moon. On the right of the photo was “Buzz” Aldrin making a few practice runs and one “football cut” to demonstrate how man can walk on the moon’s surface. Neil Armstrong, pictured on the left, placed the wind test instrument on the ground.

Vascar Speed Devices Come to Alabama : The Department of Public Safety requested more than one hundred Vascar speed computer devices to be used by the Alabama Highway Patrol throughout the state. These units were being installed and made ready for use in mass form, according to Colonel Floyd H. Mann, Director of the Department of Public Safety. The device would be used by the Alabama Highway Patrol to increase efficiency and enable improved service to state highway users while helping to keep highway speeds at reasonable levels. Colonel Mann listed some of the advantages of Vascar over radar: unlike radar, which must be operated from a parked position, Vascar could be used from a moving patrol car and was effective over a broad field of observation.

Boys’ 4-H Winner : Bert Autrey, son of Dr. and Mrs. Max Autrey, was the 1969 4-H Elementary Achievement Winner. Mr. Billy Calhoun, sponsor of the program, presented Bert with a camera for attaining this honor. Bert had completed two years in the program, with his main project being Beef Cattle. In 1968, he won Junior Showmanship Honors at the Calf Show. Mr. Calhoun emphasized the importance of keeping good records in all 4-H projects, which is essential for winning top honors. With his new camera, Bert could take plenty of pictures of his projects.

Camellia Drive-In Theatre : The Camellia Drive-In Theatre began showing the 1967 film “Valley of the Dolls” with an all-star cast including Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke, Sharon Tate, and Susan Hayward. The Drive-In also included a showing of the 1968 sci-fi adventure “Planet of the Apes” starring Charlton Heston.

The post This week in history: 1969 appeared first on The Greenville Advocate .