The History of the NORAD/Microsoft and Google Santa Trackers

theodp writes: Marketing Land's Danny Sullivan has a pretty epic post on How Google Became A Santa Tracker Tradition To Rival NORAD, and wonders if future generations will think of Santa tracking as synonymous with Google, just as past ones have felt about NORAD. Until it split with Google in 2012 (for unknown reasons) and hooked up with Microsoft, Sullivan explains, NORAD had really been the only place to go for a serious, dependable Santa tracking service. "There's a big part of me that wishes Google had gotten out of Santa tracking when it split from NORAD," says Sullivan of the divorce. "The NORAD Santa tracker brings back memories from my childhood; it brings back memories of me being a father with young kids checking in on Santa's progress. In contrast, Google feels to me like an upstart interloper messing with my nostalgic memories. But maybe Google's a welcome alternative to others. It's not uncommon to see the occasional complaint about a NORAD "Santa Cam" video showing Santa being accompanied by fighter jets. Some might prefer a Santa tracker that's not connected to a military organization. Of course, some might not feel one connected to a giant company is necessarily preferable. Part of me is also sad that when I go to NORAD's own site, I get a big Internet Explorer icon in the top right corner, which effectively opens up an ad for Microsoft. I guess I feel it's too blatant. Of course, complaining about the commercialization of something Christmas-related, I suppose, is kind of useless." Sullivan adds, "Overall, I'm thankful to the many people who are involved with both operations [NORAD Tracks Santa and Google Santa Tracker], who work hard to make children smile on Christmas Eve.""

Comments

Social Media Based Application

[Virtucon]

We need to have more accurate methods. I suggest a social media app that leverages the best of Google earth and then uses observations to track where Santa is. The updates could then be used to predict speed and direction in order to predict where Santa will appear next. Now for a catchy name. I propose Santa's Annual Tracking Announcement Network or SATAN for short. I will get the Kickstarter rolling.

Confused

[oldmac31310]

When I started reading TFS and found myself dazed and bewildered - words swimming in a blur before my eyes - I was sure that this must be one of Bennett's wonderful epics. But no! Theodp wants to usurp Bennett. Treason!

Re:NORAD Santa “simulation” tapes

[halivar]

I have long believed that the Santa Tracker was a fraudulent government operation. I really began to suspect the conspiracy when I grew out of childhood; about when I got my first college apartment. I noticed that not only did Santa not visit on Christmas Eve (despite a number of sting operations with video cameras), but that NORAD's Santa Tracker had him placed right over my area while these non-visits occurred. I don't know what to believe anymore. I don't really think it's Santa delivering those presents anymore; he's just outsourcing to my parents via UPS. Everything is tainted by corporatism now.

Re:My Kids Nostalgia will be different from mine!

[CrimsonAvenger]

In general NORAD tracking of Santa is a gimmick to help bring up good will towards the organization.

Saw an article last week (early this week?) discussing the origin of the whole business.

Apparently, it got started with a Sears ad with a typo - the ad included a number to "call Santa", but a misprint gave a number to a NORAD watch officer (from TFA, the phone number was supposed to be known only to the watch officer and the duty general in the Pentagon),

Anyways, long story shortened, some kids called the number, NORAD guys went slightly apeshit that their secret phone was on a Sears ad, but they decided to play along with it, and since then, NORAD has been "tracking Santa"....