Mike Batnick knew the project he worked on in 1969 would be a part of American history.

A talented electronics technician, Batnick worked as the quality control inspector on the passive seismic package that went with Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin when they became the first humans to set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969.

"The package contained a seismograph for detecting lunar tremors," said Batnick.  "It could also measure meteoric impacts."

As far as Batnick knows, the equipment he helped to build is still working.

Today, he is the owner of a security business and commander of American Legion Post 138.

Batnick also helped to build the first table top computer and write the technical manual for it.

"In those days, computers were the size of a room; I helped to make them so they could sit on a table."

But it is his contribution to the landing on the moon day that stands out.

Part of the challenge was graduating from high school.

"I was not the best high school student," Batnick said.

From 1954 to 1958, Batnick attended James Lick High School in San Jose, Calif. He did well in the classes he liked and failed the classes he didn't like.

Batnick said his IQ is more than 150, and that he found school to be boring.  Instead of studying, he partied.

"I had to go to summer school to get my diploma," said Batnick.

Before leaving high school, he found that he liked the challenges posed by electronics.

"I didn't have the grades for the class, but I had been fascinated with electronics since I have bought and built a radio kit.  I found that I loved tinkering with things," Batnick said. "I convinced the teacher to let me take his class."

Batnick's first steps to making history had been taken. After graduation, Batnick joined the Navy.

Determined to pursue electronics as a career field, he again talked his way into a school that eventually led him to serve as an aircraft electronics technician.

"In those days there were no contracts; you went where the Navy needed you," continued Batnick.  "I was persistent; I wanted to go to that school."

He served in the Navy for 10 years before leaving for the civilian sector. Using his intelligence and the experience he had acquired in the service, Batnick went to work for the Philco Ford Aerospace Division.  In 1969 he was selected to oversee the tests of the electronics package being built to go to the moon.

"The assembly of the equipment went smoothly," recalled Batnick.

The testing of the electronics proved to be another story.

"It was tough; we worked right up to the day the work was to be completed," he said.

Batnick watched the landing on the moon of Apollo 11 spacecraft on radar and television at a tracking station.

"For those of us who worked on the project it was just another day at the office, another day on the job," explained Batnick.