posted 08-03-2011 10:52 PM               

Danne and Blackburn replaced the complex meatball with a stripped-down, modernist interpretation where even the cross stroke of the A's were removed. During the first design presentation, the proposed system was met with some resistance. Danne remembers NASA's Administrator, Dr. James Fletcher, and Deputy Administrator, Dr. George Low, having the following exchange:

Fletcher: "I'm simply not comfortable with those letters, something is missing."

Low: "Well, yes, the cross stroke is gone from the letter A."

Fletcher: "Yes, and that bothers me."

Low: "Why?"

Fletcher: (long pause) "I just don't feel we are getting our money's worth!"