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- "Rocket Bank," circa 1951 - 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.
- circa 1951
- Collections - Artifact
"Rocket Bank," circa 1951
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.
- "Destination-Moon" Mechanical Bank, 1962 - Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic looking. This mechanical bank commemorates astronaut John Glenn orbiting the Earth in 1962. The rocket resembles spaceships of the time and is topped by the moon--America's ultimate goal in the 1960s.
- 1962
- Collections - Artifact
"Destination-Moon" Mechanical Bank, 1962
Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic looking. This mechanical bank commemorates astronaut John Glenn orbiting the Earth in 1962. The rocket resembles spaceships of the time and is topped by the moon--America's ultimate goal in the 1960s.
- "Strato Bank," circa 1953 - 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.
- circa 1953
- Collections - Artifact
"Strato Bank," circa 1953
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.
- "The Satellite Bank", circa 1961 - Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic-looking. This bank, made about 1961, resembles rocket ships that launched people into orbit. It also commemorates the six U.S. astronauts chosen to be the first Americans in space.
- circa 1961
- Collections - Artifact
"The Satellite Bank", circa 1961
Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic-looking. This bank, made about 1961, resembles rocket ships that launched people into orbit. It also commemorates the six U.S. astronauts chosen to be the first Americans in space.