An Aussie Computer Programmer Says Everybody Heard Wrong

Neil Armstrong made history both when he stepped off the Eagle onto the floor of the Moon's Sea of Tranquility, and when he made his oft-quoted "giant leap" statement.

According to Australian computer programmer Peter Shann Ford, Armstrong's famous utterance has been misquoted all these years.

As recorded in the history books, when Armstrong stepped off the lander he said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." He's maintained he thought he'd included the word "a" in front of man -- and if he didn't, he'd meant to.

That would have changed the statement to "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind," making it both grammatically correct, and of course, much more dramatic.

Ford says he nabbed a copy of the original recording of Armstrong's 1969 transmission from NASA's website. Using a computer, he carefully analyzed the original recording and claims he found evidence of the missing word.

For his part, Armstrong, who has taken great pains to eschew celebrity since his history-making spaceflight and moon walk, continues to maintain he said "a man," but has quietly accepted the version printed and broadcast so many times since.

Armstrong told the Associated Press, "I have reviewed the data and Peter Ford's analysis of it, and I find the technology interesting and useful. I also find his conclusion persuasive. Persuasive is the appropriate word."

How truly remarkable that Armstrong, arguably one of the twentieth century's most recognized figures, feels no personal need to "correct" anything.

We're with you Neil. Let everyone argue about how you "said" it; they all know you're the one who "did" it. And we're fairly certain that part of history won't change!

FMI: www.nasa.gov