.::. History

• In 1379, an Italian named Muratori used the word "rochetta" when he described types of gunpowder propelled fire arrows used in medieval times. This is believed to be the first use of the word later translated in English as "rocket".¹
• The year 1855 saw the introduction of the first two-stage rocket.²
• 1956 patent for a PARK rocket. This toy was a small plastic bodied aeroplane with a hollow fuselage, which was half filled with water, pressurised by a mini bicycle pump through a nozzle hole at the rear, and launched when the internal pressure overcame the friction of the nozzle against the pump. 15 - 20 psi.
• 1983, Mother Earth News magazine published an article on how to make a water rocket.³
• July 3, 1998: Bruce Berggren flies the two stage water rocket Mark VII to 1060'
• May 2001, Spin Master Toys Announce Recall of Water Rocket Toys. See. I told you this stuff is potentially dangerous.⁴
• June 22, 2002, New water rocket world record achieved by Robert Youen at 1105', using CO₂ at 130psi. 379mph.
• July 17, 2003, Water rocket world record achieved by Ken Schellenberg with Antigravity Research Corporation at 1242', using a carbon fiber rocket, filled with nitrogen, water and soap, named the A37.
• October 23, 2004, U.S. Water Rockets crew launched their X-10 rocket to a new record of 1,606 feet (490 meters).
• April 16, 2005, U.S. Water Rockets broke their previous record (barely) at 1,609 feet (491 meters). Their first flight went to an astounding 1,574 feet (480 meters). The second flight, with deteriorating conditions, shattered the record at 1,643 feet (480 meters). The two flights averaged together was determined to be 1,609 feet.
• May 26th, 2005, U.S. Water Rockets breaks the world record at a 1,696 feet (517 meters).
• September 24, 2005, U.S. Water Rockets sets world record with their X-12 rocket at 1,715 feet (523 meters)
• April 29, 2006, U.S. Water Rockets sets another world record with a rebuilt X-12 rocket at an averaged 1,787 feet (545 meters) (Full Story Here)