Very true. 1957 is the starting point because the visualization only shows rockets that went to orbit (or that were intended to, at least); suborbital flights are not included.
This reminds me of 1945-1998[1]. The map and timeline are similar, but it follows nuclear explosions instead of rocket launches. Considering the two main parties involved in both, it would be interesting to see the data together.
One thought: any chance of showing launches as arrows -- ideally approximating the actual launch azimuth -- rather than circles? Would help dispel the myth that rockets go primarily upwards!
Whoa, I never suspected there were so many launches happening. Especially in the last few years it looks like there was a launch every other day... I always thought there were launches every other month...
Part of the lag was due to updating the DOM constantly to add to the "Launch Log." I made a minor performance optimization and that part of it is working a lot faster now.
Depending on your definition, at least the start of Goddard's rocket in 1926 or the A-4 that reached space in 1942 come to mind.