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The Legacy of Jack Parsons: A Short Fuse From Volatile Science To Combustible Collapse
Jack Parsons used an area of the Arroyo Seco known as Devil's Gate as his rocket laboratory.
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Archival footage courtesy of M.G. Lord
)
In this episode of LA Made: Blood Sweat & Rockets, we take a closer look at the incendiary life and death of Jack Parsons — one of the original members of the "Suicide Squad," a group of pioneering figures in JPL rocket science.
What to expect in this episode
Ever since he was a teenager, Parsons has operated on the fringes of spiritual and terrestrial frontiers. His unorthodox thinking results in the breakthrough development of rocket fuel, and his sexmagick allegedly conjures up a supernatural woman.
Parsons’ fearlessness and appetite for experimentation puts him at the core of groundbreaking rocket science. Unfortunately, that explosive combination won’t allow him to stay there.
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Listen
Listen
27:44
Listen: The explosive demise of Jack Parsons and the conspiracy theories that came after
Scientist or enthusiast?
Despite having no formal education, Parsons has a remarkable career trajectory that some people would kill for. Listen in to find out if some people do just that.
Spellbound and hell bent
From occultism to rocket fuel to special effects, one question still burns: Did Parsons write his own fate?
That sounds great! How do I find the podcast?
It's available now from LAist Studios. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts! Or listen to this episode via the player above.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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