Inspiration

Inspiration. It’s part of the ethos here at KHT. Coupled with our ambition, curiosity, determination and desire, it helps drive our mission to solve your PIA (Pain in the @%$) Jobs! It gets us up in the morning and sometimes keeps us here after most people are already headed home for the day. Throughout our American history, many of our greatest leaders “inspired” us to overcome and find success. On this day, back on September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy stood before 40,000 people at Rice University and delivered one of the most stirring speeches in American history. His words echoed far beyond the stadium, “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…” His words resonated throughout the nation, through the Cold War with Russia, the Space Race, and into the heart of the American identity. But this wasn’t just a speech about space travel. It was a rallying cry for courage, innovation, and national purpose during one of the tensest times in modern history. Here’s a bit more about innovation, and Kennedy’s words, and time in our history. Thanks to Google and Wikipedia for the insights – Enjoy!

The word “inspiration” is powerful and deeply human. Tied to imagination, purpose, and emotion, it’s the spark that drives people to overcome obstacles and do things they never thought possible, leading to all sorts of human achievement.

The word “inspiration” comes from the Latin inspirare, meaning “to breathe into.” In early usage, it was often used in religious or artistic contexts – a divine breath, an inner stirring. But over time, it evolved into something broader: A mental or emotional force that compels people to take action, create beauty, or pursue something greater than themselves.

Inspiration is different from motivation. Motivation can be thought of as more external, with rewards, deadlines, pressure. Inspiration is internal. It’s about purpose and vision. It’s when something lifts your mind and heart and says: “I can do more. I was made for this.” I’m sure you can think of athletes and leaders who have this inner drive.

By the early 1960s, the U.S. was in a tight spot: The Cold War was in full swing. The Soviet Union had launched Sputnik (1957), shocking the world and may leaders in America. Then in April 1961, the Soviets put the first human, Yuri Gagarin (check out his medals), into orbit — another blow to U.S. pride. Was the USSR really going to take the lead?

At this time, American space efforts had been cautious and modest. Alan Shepard’s suborbital flight (1961) was a breakthrough, but the Soviets remained ahead. The failed Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961) embarrassed the young Kennedy administration and created doubts about his young leadership. Would the US respond?
Kennedy (and his speech writers) knew Americans were anxious. Were we losing the future to the Soviets? Kennedy needed something bold – a challenge that would unify the nation, inspire confidence, and shift the narrative. At just 43, John F. Kennedy was the youngest person ever elected president. He brought energy, charisma, and a forward-looking vision. He also had a distinctive Boston accent — (turning “hard” into “hahd” — that became part of his cultural legacy).

In May 1961, he told Congress he wanted the U.S. to send a man to the Moon before the decade ended. That announcement was stunning. NASA was only 4 years old. America didn’t yet have the rockets or technology to pull it off. But in September 1962, at Rice University in Houston – the new home of NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center – Kennedy delivered the speech that sold the dream to the American people.

The Moon Speech, as it is known today, was a defining moment. “We choose to go to the Moon… not because it is easy, but because it is hard — because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills…” This wasn’t just a speech about space. It was about American ambition. About daring to lead in science, education, and industry. About proving to ourselves and the world that free people could accomplish incredible things.

In his speech, JFK cleverly mixed humor and inspiration. He joked, “Why does Rice play Texas?” …making a metaphor about underdogs rising to the occasion. The audience laughed, but the message stuck. Kennedy’s Moon Speech was primarily crafted by Ted Sorensen, JFK’s longtime speechwriter, advisor, and close confidant. Often described as Kennedy’s “intellectual alter ego,” he had been with Kennedy since his Senate days and helped write many of his most famous speeches, including his inaugural address (“Ask not what your country can do for you…”). Sorensen was known for his poetic, direct, and stirring rhetorical style — always aiming to match JFK’s tone of hope, idealism, and moral clarity.

And the speech worked. It triggered and supported a massive investment in science and space. Funding for NASA exploded – peaking at nearly 4.5% of the federal budget by 1966 (including NASA, SpaceX, and Space Force, it’s <1% Today). Thousands of scientists, engineers, and contractors were hired. Entire industries boomed. STEM education was emphasized in schools. Science fairs, space clubs, and model rockets became part of American culture. (I can remember building a NASA rocket model as a kid). It also sparked national unity and confidence. In an era of nuclear threats and civil unrest, the Moon mission gave Americans a shared goal. Patriotism surged. People watched launches together on small televisions and followed astronauts like celebrities.

Then, just seven years after Kennedy’s speech, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong took that first giant leap – and Kennedy’s vision became reality. (it’s truly remarkable!). Kennedy’s Moon Speech has outlived him by decades. He was assassinated in 1963 and never saw the landing – but his vision changed the course of history. The “we choose to go to the Moon” quote is used in politics, education, and tech to inspire bold thinking.

Kennedy didn’t promise an easy path. He promised a meaningful one. In a world full of distractions, data, AI, and deadlines, it’s easy to overlook inspiration – to focus on what’s just “realistic” or calculatable. JFK’s speech is a reminder that inspiration is not fluff. It’s fuel. As we celebrate our 50^th anniversary this year at KHT, we can bathe in the inspiration President Kennedy provided us all so many years ago. He dared us to go farther — and gave us the words to believe we could. Feel good when you send us your work…we’re on it!