He was the first man in space—free falling to the earth, traveling without a vehicle, breaking the sound barrier [1], wearing only a space suit, carrying a film camera. On August 16, 1960, he ascended to 19 miles above the earth in a space age helium balloon called the Excelsior III gondola [2], and then he jumped. For a man who fell to earth, David Bowie [3] ain’t got nothin on Joseph Kittinger [4].

And the weirdest part—during the intitial phases of the free fall, he didn’t even feel the sensation of falling—not until he hit the resistance of the thicker air.

Why do I mention this to you now? Maybe it’s because old covers of LIFE magazine [5] ring a nostalgia which is especially resonant at the dawning of a new year. Or maybe it’s the graphic visual metaphor of a free fall into the world. But ultimately because it’s a gripping, way cool, must-see video clip [6].

There’s also a more recent, less exciting, interview with Joseph Kittinger on video at Forbes.com [7].

[via BLDGBLOG [8]]