I just watched a live webcast of the first X-Prize launch of Spaceship One. Unreal, not only the launch and return, but the live coverage over the web. This was truly the 21st Century equivalent of 1927. You know, you think it's this exotic ship, but it's still got that comforting N-number on the tail.

The biggest difference between 1927 and 2004 is that the writers in 1927 had style. The two mike men for the webcast were, I'm sure, perfectly competent for the Weather Channel. But much as I love classical music, I never thought that a symphony could exceed a private space launch in excitement.