I was lucky enough to grow up when there were no computers, cell phones or cable television. I know many won’t think that’s lucky, but looking back, I feel I was very fortunate. What we did have were two English channels that showed great Christmas specials on Christmas Eve and a radio that tracked Santa’s every move.

The NORAD reports began shortly after supper. Since the radio in the kitchen was always on, we easily followed Santa’s approach to Canada from the North Pole. For some reason, I thought I was the first generation to get these ‘special reports’, but recently I learned I was far from it.

It all started in 1955 with a misprint in the Colorado Springs newspaper.

Read the full story here at storycorps NORAD’s Santa Tracker Began with a Typo and a Good Sport