Celebrating Black History Month: Edward Boyd, African-American advertising executive for Pepsi

Edward Boyd, born June 27, 1914, was an advertising executive for Pepsi-Cola and responsible for marketing products specifically to African-Americans.  This was a time when Jim Crow laws were still in effect and blacks were discriminated, mocked or ignored in advertising.  Businesses could be attacked if it was discovered they sold products to the African-American community.

His efforts allowed Pepsi to substantially increase market share to the detriment of Coca-Cola.  He assembled a sales team of African-Americans to travel around the country to promote Pepsi.  Racial discrimination and hatred were rampant and the salesmen faced racial barriers constantly.  They attacked Coke's reluctance to hire blacks and Coke chairman's support of segregationist Herman Talmadge (Georgia Governor at the time).

After the sales team visited Chicago, Pepsi's share overtook Coke for the first time.

Challenger (STS-51-F) launched 1985

Front row (seated) L–R: Gordon Fullerton, Roy Bridges, 

Back row (standing) L–R: Anthony England, Karl Henize, F. Story Musgrave, Loren Acton, John-David Bartoe

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-51-F), launched July 29, 1985, was the only shuttle mission that had to "Abort To Orbit" (ATO).  Shortly after liftoff, a number of sensor failings caused the main engine to shut down and the crew had to abort to orbit.  They achieved orbit at a lower altitude and managed to complete their mission successfully.

Its crew consisted of Commander Gordon Fullerton, Pilot Roy Bridges, Karl Henize, F. Story Musgrave, Anthony England, Loren Acton and John-David Bartoe.  Challenger's primary payload was the lab module Spacelab 2, which involved multiple experiments related to life sciences and physics.

Coca-Cola and Pepsi provided carbonated drinks for the mission in specially-designed cans, but the crew preferred Tang, since it could be mixed with chilled water available on the shuttle.  The carbonated beverages weren't refrigerated and foamed excessively in microgravity.

They returned to Earth August 6.