Growing up nothing captured my imagination as much as the SR 71. Not rockets and astronauts, not fast cars, not other fighters or experimental aircraft (thanks, Dumpy Pocket book of aircraft and flight), not cool warships, not nuclear submarines... nothing. To be sure, they were all awe-inspiring, insanely cool machines that kid-me would nerd out on. I knew all the stats. But the SR was on its own pedestal in my head, apart from everything else. I can't explain why, but it was like that. Now-me continues to be as awe-struck, but for other reasons; having read/understood something of the engineering and project management and operational work that went into making and flying that never-before-was, never-will-be work of art.

(edit: better words)