"Unisphere" Mechanical Bank, circa 1964

01

Artifact Overview

Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic looking. An earlier version of this mechanical bank had the rocket topped with the moon. This later version depicts the 1964-65 New York World's Fair Unisphere--a symbol of global interdependence in the space age.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Mechanical bank

Date Made

circa 1964

Creator Notes

Commissioned by the New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation, manufactured by RMS Sales Corporation.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2018.82.7

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Raymond Reines, Dedicated to the Berzac Family.

Material

Metal

Color

Silver (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 10.5 in
Diameter: 4.5 in (at widest point)

Inscriptions

inside rim of base: UNISPHERE / PRESENTED BY / USS / UNITED STATES STEEL / (C) 1961 NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1964-1965 CORPORATION / MFG. BY / RMS SALES CORP. / EAST ORANGE, N.J. on front of base: NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1964-1965 on side of rocket: UNITED STATES