Sad story.
That’s how JPL got started. (Yes. The movie, The Martian had it correct.) “Back in the 1930s, a group of graduate students known as “the rocket boys” set off a small explosion in their dormitory building during a fueled rocket test, according to NASA’s history archive.”
I have the same drive as they do: to experiment. I planned on being an astronaut. I’m a power supply design engineer instead. I’ll do the rocket thing in retirement.
Chemistry class in HS (Me) Hey is there a possibility this could blow up?
Of course.
Then let’s do it outside. (It blew up)
That's do'able.
My 90+ year old Uncle strapped a rocket to his wagon back in the Thirties. To this day, he has no eyelashes!
If id had the money i would have built a liquid fuel rocket engine. Would have killed my most likely. Had plans drawn up. Werner von Braun was my hero.