Julian Scheer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julian Scheer
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2001 portrait by Hugh Morton
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| Born | February 20, 1926 |
| Died | September 1, 2001 (aged 75) |
| Occupation | Mariner, journalist, author, public relations professional |
Julian Weisel Scheer (born February 20, 1926 – died September 1, 2001) was an American journalist and writer. He also worked in public relations, which means helping organizations share their story. He is most famous for his important role at NASA, the space agency. From 1962 to 1971, he was NASA's assistant administrator for public affairs. This meant he helped tell the world about NASA's amazing space missions.
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Julian Scheer's Early Life and Career
Julian Weisel Scheer was born in Richmond, Virginia, on January 26, 1926. When he was 17, during World War II, he joined the United States Merchant Marine. He served in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during the war.
After the war, he went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He graduated in 1950 with a degree in journalism. While there, he helped share news about the university's sports teams.
Becoming a Journalist
After college, Scheer worked as an assistant for the Director of Sports Information at UNC. In 1953, he became a journalist at The Charlotte News newspaper in Charlotte, North Carolina. He mostly wrote about sports.
In 1954, he helped cover Hurricane Hazel. A famous photo showed Scheer battling the strong winds and rising water. This picture won an award for the photographer, Hugh Morton.
Discovering Space Exploration
In 1956, Scheer visited Patrick Air Force Base in Cape Canaveral, Florida. He was invited by a friend who worked for WBTV Channel 3 News. There, he saw the United States Air Force testing rockets and missiles.
Scheer was very interested in what he saw. Even though his editor didn't think it was important, Scheer returned on his own. He watched more rocket launches and wrote a series of articles about the work.
As the Space Race began in the late 1950s, people became very interested in space. Scheer teamed up with NASA engineer Theodore J. Gordon. Together, they wrote a popular book called First into Outer Space. This was one of several books Scheer wrote.
Julian Scheer's Role at NASA
In 1960, Scheer covered the presidential election for his newspaper. He met Robert F. Kennedy during this time. In 1962, James E. Webb, the head of NASA, asked Scheer to join the space agency.
Webb wanted Scheer to create a plan for how NASA would share news with the media. Scheer started as a consultant. In early 1963, he became NASA's assistant administrator for public affairs.
Making Information Public
In his new job, Scheer wanted NASA to be open with information. Before him, NASA's public affairs officer, Shorty Powers, sometimes held back details. Scheer believed it was important to share information freely with the public.
He made sure that news about missions was sent to all media outlets. Scheer felt that being open was the best way for NASA to work. However, he also knew when to be careful. After the Apollo 1 fire, he waited to release a statement. He wanted to make sure the families of the astronauts knew first.
Key Decisions for Apollo 11
Scheer made several important decisions for the Apollo 11 mission. He was responsible for naming the Command Module Columbia. He also helped decide what would be said on the plaque left on the Moon.
Perhaps his biggest achievement was insisting on a television camera for the Lunar Module Eagle. Engineers wanted to save weight, but Scheer knew how important it was. Because of his decision, millions of people around the world watched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the Moon.
Later Life and Environmental Work
Julian Scheer left NASA on February 22, 1971. He then worked on a political campaign. He stayed involved with the space program as a consultant. He also became a trustee for the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum.
He worked for a communications firm and later for a company called Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV). He was LTV's public face during important legal challenges. In 1992, he became a consultant again.
Protecting the Environment
In the early 1990s, Scheer became very active in environmental causes. He played a key role in the Piedmont Environmental Council's fight against a proposed Disney's America theme park. He helped start a group called Protect Historic America. This group brought together historians and others to oppose the park.
Julian Scheer passed away on September 1, 2001. He had a heart attack while working on his cattle ranch in Catlett, Virginia. He was survived by his second wife, Suzanne Huggan, and his children.
