Every Christmas Eve, children all over the world excitedly await the arrival of Santa Claus. Google's Santa Claus tracker has become an important part of this tradition, satisfying children's curiosity and anticipation of Santa Claus in a new way.
It all started with a typo in an advertisement for the Sears department store a long time ago: "Hey, kids!" Santa Claus lamented. "Call me directly, make sure to dial the right number. ”
In 1955, a newspaper typographical error caused children to call the secret Military Nerve Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to find out where Santa Claus was. And just like that, the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) began their annual mission to track Santa's journey around the world. This tradition has become the largest single public outreach program of the U.S. Department of Defense and one of the Pentagon's most orchestrated propaganda operations.
On Christmas Eve, NORAD tracks Santa's journey around the globe in addition to monitoring potential military threats, such as North Korean missile launches or Russian military planes flying too close to the skies of the United States or Canada. They will use 47 radar stations, spy satellites in geosynchronous orbit, fighter jets and a special network of high-tech "Santa Claus cameras" to report how Santa Claus and his reindeer set off from the North Pole to deliver gifts and holiday cheer to children around the world.
More than 1,500 volunteers will be involved in the campaign, answering the expected 150,000 phone calls and a large number of email and social media posts. Their mission is to provide the public with up-to-date information about Santa's current location. In the 23 hours leading up to Christmas, volunteers work in two-hour shifts with the support of sponsors such as the Defense Industry Association, Microsoft, Taco Bell and local Amy Donuts in Colorado Springs.
WHILE THE PROJECT HAS SPARKED SOME CONTROVERSY, SUCH AS AN ANIMATED VIDEO DEPICTING SANTA CLAUS AND HIS REINDEER BEING ESCORTED BY FIGHTER JETS, WHICH HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR INJECTING TOO MUCH MILITARISM INTO THE TRADITION OF PEACE, NORAD INSISTS THAT IT IS A CENTRAL AND HARMLESS WAY TO INTERACT WITH THE PUBLIC AND GIVE THEM A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LEGENDARY COMMAND.
Like any well-functioning military operation, NORAD has prepared a detailed plan for Santa's tracking mission. They will use state-of-the-art technology such as "SantaCams" (high-speed digital cameras designed specifically for the mission) and infrared sensors to track Santa Claus and his reindeer.
NORAD's action of tracking Santa Claus has become a magical tradition for many families around the globe and their way of sharing joy and goodwill with the public during Christmas. When asked how to choose between tracking Santa Claus and dealing with a potential military threat, NORAD's commander said they have the ability to complete two missions at the same time, both of which cannot be failed.
Google's Santa Claus tracking service with the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), which has been tracking Santa's journey in the most professional way ever since using air defense radar, satellites, and jet fighters.
With the addition of Google, the project evolved into a technology product that educates and entertains. In addition to tracking Santa's location in real time, Google has also developed a series of interactive games and videos that allow children to gain knowledge and have fun while waiting for Christmas presents.
This year, Google's Santa Claus Tracker features new coding games and short films, as well as a brand new Santa Town that gives kids a deeper understanding of Santa's life and work. Not only does this content provide entertainment, but more importantly, they teach programming and science in a relaxed way, encouraging children to develop their science literacy while enjoying the festival.
Google's Santa Claus Tracker has changed the way we perceive and celebrate traditional holidays in an innovative way, bringing technology and tradition together to add a new dimension to our holiday experience.