"Patience is the ability to count down before…

“Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off” is a saying that has been printed on many images. “Patience is the ability to count down before blasting off” was written by Franklin P. Jones (1908-1980) and published in The Wall Street Journal on May 26, 1964.

“Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off” was printed in the Auburn (CA) Journal on October 12, 1973. The “count down” and “blasting off” terms were probably influenced by NASA’s Project Mercury human spaceflight at that time in the 1960s.

Answers.com
Franklin P. Jones (1908 - 1980) was a Philadelphia reporter, public relations executive and humorist. He wrote quips and quotes that entertained readers of major publications for years.

Mr. Jones was known nationally during the 1940s and 50s for his column “Put it this Way” in the Saturday Evening Post. “Put it this Way” set a record as the longest continuously published feature in the Saturday Evening Post.

He was an accomplished “paragrapher” - a writer who condenses humorous or thought provoking ideas into paragraph form. His quips and quotes were published (often anonymously) in numerous publications, including Reader’s Digest, the Wall Street Journal, Changing Times and Quote magazine.

26 May 1964, The Wall Street Journal (New York, NY), “Pepper…and Salt,” pg. 16, col. 1:
Space for Error
Patience is the ability to count down before blasting off.
—Franklin P. Jones

19 September 1964, Vineland (NJ) Times Journal, “The Vineland Builder” as told by Kim, pg. 2, col. 4:
KIM SAYS
“Patience is the ability to count down before blasting off.” (Contributed by Vincent P. Di Renzo, N. Brewster Rd.)

12 October 1973, Auburn (CA) Journal, “Echoes…from Alta Pines” by Movelda Knott, pg. A-5, col. 4:
It takes patience to start building, but they say patience is the ability to count down before you blast off, so by next spring they will blast off.

6 May 1976, The Courier-Express (Dubois, PA), “Daisies Won’t Tell But I Will!” by Bess K. Martin, pg. 5, col. 8:
QUIP: Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off…

10 July 1988. Marietta (GA) Daily Journal, “Choosing words to live by” by Nelson Price, pg. 4D, col. 2:
“Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off.”

Google Books
Blessed are the Caregivers:
Practical advice and encouragement for those providing care to others
By Danny Cain and Bob Russell
Prospect. KY: NB Publishing & Marketing
1995
Pg. 46:
Someone said, “Patience is the ability to count down before blasting off!”

Google Books
Join the Universal Golden Rule Revolution:
Practice—One Habit Each Month of the Year
By Elaine Parke
Zelienople, PA: Caring Media International
2000
Pg. 203:
Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

20 June 2008, Townsville (Queensland) Bulletin, “Psyched Up: Ask Our Psychic Channeller Marie Bella for Help with Major Personal Issues,” pg. 207:
Borrowing the words from an unknown sage: “Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off”.

Google Books
Still Speaking with the Stars
By Bob Benson
Xlibris Corporation (Xlibris.com)
2011
Pg. 109:
Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off. (unknown)

Google Books
GodMoments for Women (eBook)
By Carolyn Larsen
Christian Art Gifts
2012
Pg. ?:
Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off.
Anonymous

Twitter
NewBeginningsChurch
@nbccalgary
Here’s a Thought: Patience is the ability to “count down” before “blasting off.”
8:15 PM - 17 Jun 2019

Twitter
Tony Fahkry
@tonyfahkry
“Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off.” - Author Unknown #quotes
1:50 AM - 4 Jul 2019