Robert Anson Heinlein was born July 7, 1907, in Butler, Missouri. He was one of seven children. He later moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he attended Central High School. After graduation in 1924, he attended the University of Missouri for one year before entering the United States Naval Academy. In 1929 he graduated twentieth in his class and was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy.

Heinlein served in the Navy from 1929 to 1934. He was stationed aboard various kinds of vessels, including the first modern aircraft carrier. His promising career was cut short in 1934 when he was found to have tuberculosis.

Heinlein then continued his studies in physics and mathematics at the University of California at Los Angeles. Once again poor health forced him to stop and move to Colorado to recuperate. Between 1934 and 1939 Heinlein explored many careers, including architecture, silver mining, real estate, and even California...