It's Christmas Eve and Santa's already making the rounds. Right now the jolly fat man and his trusty reindeer are in Indonesia. How do I know? Because I'm tracking Santa Claus using Google Earth. The folks at Google have partnered with NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, an organization that provides aerospace warning and defense for the United States and Canada.
NORAD has been tracking Santa every Christmas since 1955, when a misprint in a newspaper ad directed folks to call the organization, instead of Sears Roebuck. Here's a brief explanation:
The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.
Back in the day, radar and a phone call could get you the update. But this is the 21st Century and we use Google Earth. You can check the site periodically or enter your phone number and get updates via your mobile phone.
Now if I could just find out if I were naughty or nice this past year. Is there an app for that?
Tags: Internet
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