[2] Ziff-Davis success with Popular Electronics magazine showed there was a market for electronics hobbyist magazines and the launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1957 had increased the public's interest in science and technology.

Electronics Illustrated (EI) was targeted for this hobbyist and do-it-yourself audience.

To promote amateur rocketry the U.S. Army began a series titled "Build a Safe Model Missile."

The space race between the United States and the Soviet Union led many hobbyists into amateur rocketry.

The articles had numerous photos and always included a wiring diagram in addition to the schematic.