To the extent I can reconstruct my mentality as a boy, this sounds like a perfectly rational and potentially very effective method of launching something into space. Just the amount of smoke the "rockets" developed could have been taken as proof of their tremendous power.

Amitbhuttan's point is well taken, though. For those who are somewhat risk averse, a little encouragement is a good thing.

Following you now, Amitbhuttan, and looking forward to future posts.