Pillsbury Space Food Sticks, 1969-1971

01

Artifact Overview

In the 1960s, NASA contracted with Pillsbury to develop a high-energy snack for American astronauts. The food would need to fit through the small, airtight opening in the astronauts' helmets. A team at Pillsbury, led by Howard Baumann, developed a rod-shaped energy bar. Capitalizing on the popularity of the Apollo space mission, Pillsbury marketed and sold Space Food Sticks to the public.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Food

Date Made

1969-1971

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2016.48.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Lisa A. Korzetz.

Material

Cardboard

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 5.063 in
Width: 4.5 in
Length: 1.188 in

Inscriptions

on front of box: SPACE FOOD STICKS / THE ENERGY FOOD DEVELOPED BY PILLSBURY IN SUPPORT OF THE U.S. AEROSPACE PROGRAM ABOUT 44 CALORIES. / balanced energy snack! / CHOCOLATE FLAVOR / 14 STICKS / NET WT. 4 7/8 OZ. on back of box: THE SPACE FOOD STICK / Space Food Sticks were first developed by Pillsbury as a special purpose food for long space flights. They're a new way to lift your energy. A snack that gives you the nutrition of a miniature meal. / About 44 calories per stick. / Chewy. Delicious. Individually wrapped. Space Food Sticks travel neatly. Send a few to school. Or work. Or play. Whenever you need an "energy lift." on bottom of box: CHOCOLATE FLAVOR SPACE FOOD STICKS / NEW! Energy Snack from U.S. Aerospace Program