"Rocket Bank," circa 1951
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Artifact Overview
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 rocket bank from about 1951 resembles those early comic-book-style space vehicles.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Mechanical bank
Date Made
circa 1951
Place of Creation
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2018.82.2
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Raymond Reines, Dedicated to the Berzac Family.
Material
Metal
Color
Silver (Color)
Red
Black (Color)
Dark yellow
Dimensions
Height: 2.063 in
Width: 8 in
Length: 1.625 in
Inscriptions
on bottom:
TO LOCK PRESS ON KEY / LEAVE KEY IN WHILE LOCK IS OFF
around inside edge of base:
MADE BY DURO / DETROIT U.S.A.
on proper left side of base:
ROCKET BANK
on proper right rear fin:
PAT. PENDING
on labels on sides of rocket:
The OMAHA NATIONAL BANK / Member Fed. Deposit Ins. Corp.
on sides of front of rocket:
MERCURY
on key:
WW
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