"Strato Bank," circa 1953
Add to SetSummary
In the years before the space race of the late 1950s, many Americans viewed outer space exploration as fantasy and science fiction. Whimsical space toys based on popular movies, radio and television shows, and comics featured futuristic robots, ray guns, and spaceships. This mechanical "Strato" bank from about 1953 includes a mechanism for launching coins from the rocket through the "stratosphere" into the moon.
In the years before the space race of the late 1950s, many Americans viewed outer space exploration as fantasy and science fiction. Whimsical space toys based on popular movies, radio and television shows, and comics featured futuristic robots, ray guns, and spaceships. This mechanical "Strato" bank from about 1953 includes a mechanism for launching coins from the rocket through the "stratosphere" into the moon.
Artifact
Mechanical bank
Date Made
circa 1953
Keywords
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2018.82.3
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Raymond Reines, Dedicated to the Berzac Family.
Material
Metal
Color
Green
Red
Black (Color)
Dark yellow
Dimensions
Height: 3.5 in
Width: 8 in
Length: 2.75 in
Inscriptions
on inside edge of base: U.S. PAT. D-171-243 / CANADIAN PAT. / DURO MOLD AND MFG. INC. DETROIT MICH. U.S.A. on proper left side, front of base: STRATO BANK labels on sides of base: AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY / [?] CHICAGO on front sides of coin launcher: XU 232
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