24,791 miles per hour is the speed reached by astronauts returning to Earth from the Moon, illustrating humanity's obsession with velocity.
Synopsis
24,791 miles per hour is the speed reached by astronauts returning to Earth from the Moon, illustrating humanity's obsession with velocity.
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A primitive hunter-gatherer struggles to catch a deer while being pursued by a tiger. This scene opens "Speed," a documentary directed by Greg MacGillivray. Narrated by historian James Burke, the film examines humanity's drive for faster movement. It covers significant milestones, such as Kirkpatrick Macmillan's invention of the self-propelled bicycle in 1839 and the record-breaking Stanley Steamer of the early 1900s. The film also details the development of supersonic aircraft, including the Bell X-1 and the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, and the achievements of astronauts during the Apollo 10 mission.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See Kirkpatrick Macmillan's bicycle invention in action.
- Meet Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier in 1947.
- Find out about Billy Vukovich's tragic Indianapolis 500 story.
Did You Know
- Kirkpatrick Macmillan invented the first self-propelled bicycle in 1839.
- The Stanley Steamer set a world record of 127 miles per hour in the 1900s.
- The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reached a top speed of 3,400 miles per hour.
- Apollo 10 astronauts returned to Earth at 24,791 miles per hour in 1969.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed the documentary Speed?
Speed was directed by Greg MacGillivray.
What was the top speed achieved by the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird?
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird had a top speed of 3,400 miles per hour (5,500 km/h).
What year did Chuck Yeager break the sound barrier?
Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947.
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