Man-made Moons :The earth satellites and what they will tell us. (1957)

Another satellite book for you. This one was copyrighted in 1957 but published in 1958. Probably because the author needed to update the text at the last minute.

Adler, Irving. Illustrated by Adler, Ruth. Man-Made Moons : The Earth Satellites and What they tell us. New York : John Day Co. (128 p.) 21 cm.

See also revised as part of Adler. “Seeing the Earth from space…” (1959).

Exploring Earth and Space: The story of the I.G.Y. (1957)

Hyde, Margaret O. Illustrated by Geary, Clifford N. Exploring Earth and Space: The Story of the I.G.Y. New York : Whittlesey House. (160 p.) 21 cm.

Also written in response to the anticipated start of the International Geophysical Year, this book devotes 4 chapters to research rockets, biomedical testing of animals and satellites. Illustration of rockets and an Earth satellite (theoretical). The text shows how space travel and exploration of space in the public mind was thought to be imminent but it was not urgent. See 1958 reprint. Also 1959, 1963, 1967, 1970 editions.

Roy Gallant

A redirect for today. Wired magazine has highlighted the book art from one of my favorite non-fiction children's book authors, Roy Gallant. His 1955 book Exploring the Moon and 1956 Exploring Mars have great illustrations by Lowell Hess.

Check the article out here:

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/10/ff_vintagescience_gallant/

Exploring by Satellite: The Story of Project Vanguard (1957)

More theoretical satellite books for children! Project Vanguard had a strict timetable for the IGY so several authors created these books as being of topical interest. The events of early October, 1957 makes these books look quaint.

Branley, Franklyn M. Illustrated by Wimmer, Helmut K. Exploring by Satellite: The Story of Project Vanguard. New York: Thomas Y Crowell. (40 p.) 27 cm.

Written pre-Sputnik the text cover the plans for Project Vanguard as part of the I.G.Y. It goes on to discuss the possible uses of satellites for observation of the Earth and space. It ends with a discussion of a space station and manned exploration of the planets. Illustrations of rockets, satellites and a space station. Containing some of Helmut Wimmer's earliest paintings for children which are spectacular.

The Earth Satellite: Man's first true space adventure (1957)

Happy 52nd (and 15 days) anniversary of the lunch of Sputnik 1! OK I just was trying to come up with one for today and thought about satellites. With the US joining into the IGY, there were a number of books in 1957 issue (pre-sputnik) to talk about this new science. So while the adults were out of the loop, children knew satellites were coming. I will try to show off some of the pre-and post Sputnik books during the next couple of days.

Lewellen, John. Illustrated by Scheib, Ida. The Earth Satellite: Man's First True Space Adventure. New York: Alfred A Knopf. (59 p.) 22 cm.

A wonderful basic book about satellites and space exploration written pre-Sputnik. The text focuses on how a satellite would get into orbit and how would it stay there. There are additional chapters on viewing the satellite, the use of satellites in the future, and manned space exploration. Illustrations of rockets, satellites, and space suits.

"Space travel and guided missiles" from the World Book Encyclopedia

Just a quick one today. "Space travel and guided missiles" from the World Book Encyclopedia. Encyclopedias (remember those?) sometimes would gather a couple of their articles and print them as a separate pamphlet. Sometimes this was advertising to get you to buy the encyclopedia and sometimes it was meant for schools to supplement the curriculum. Something fun and colorful for a grey morning.

The Golden Book of Astronomy (1955)

As I mentioned before, some of the best space art is in the children's astronomy books. This one stars the art of John Polgreen, one of my favorite space artists. He went on to illustrate a number of my favorite space books from the 1950s.

Wyler, Rose and Ames, Gerald. Illustrated by Polgreen, John. The Golden Book of Astronomy: A Child's Introduction to the Wonders of Space. New York: Golden Press. (97 p.) 33 cm.

Text focuses on astronomy with illustrations of the Moon, planetary surfaces, the solar system, and star maps. Last section includes illustrations of astronauts and rockets. Also 1959, 1965 editions.

Heroes of Space Series: Wernher von Braun, Yuri Gagarin, and Apollo Astronauts

Three for one day at Dreams of Space! Wanted to highlight a great non-fiction series: Heroes of Space.

The titles in the series are:

Wernher von Braun, Yuri Gagarin, John Glenn, and Apollo Astronauts.

Goodrum, J C. (1969). Wernher von Braun, space pioneer,. [Huntsville Ala.]: Strode Publishers.

Akens, D S. (1969). John Glenn, first American in orbit,. [Huntsville Ala.]: Strode Publishers.

Sharpe, M R. (1969). Yuri Gagarin first man in space,. [Huntsville Ala.]: Strode Publishers.

Richey, B J. (1970). Apollo astronauts first men to the moon,. Huntsville Ala.: Strode Publishers.

Written in response to the impending moon landing these are very interesting biographies published in Huntsville, AL.

They got some very knowledgeable people to write these and they encapsulate in 4 books the development of manned spaceflight and how man got to the moon.

BJ Richey was space correspondent for the Newhouse News service and worked for the Huntsville Times. John Goodrum was an Apollo engineer and a staff member on the von Brun team.

Beyond the Moon: Future explorations in interplanetary space (1971)

Just got in an upgraded copy of this. I love this cool cover.


Colby, C.B. Beyond the Moon: Future Explorations in Interplanetary Space. New York: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan. (48 p.) 28 cm.

Primarily a heavily annotated photo album. This one is notable for its space art of space shuttle prototypes, and timetables of space stations, Moon bases and exploration of the solar system. Reprinted several times with a new photographic cover.

The Wonderful World of the Air (1958)

To celebrate my 100th post here is some freaky space art! Some artists in these books took the chance to create surrealistic masterpieces to inspire the children. This one uses a very different feel from most art. Instead of optimistic it seems almost paranoid and constricted.

Fisher, Jamie. Illustrated by G. Leigh Davies. The wonderful world of the air. Garden City, N.Y. : Doubleday. 68 p. : 33 cm.

Man's Reach Into Space (1959)

Gallant, Roy A, Illustrated by Ames, Lee J. Man's Reach into Space. Garden City, NY: Garden City Books. (152 p.) 32 cm.

This one primarily discusses conditions in high speed flight and in space and human testing and preparation. Discussions of vacuum, g-forces, weightlessness, isolation. An interesting book in its focus on the people of space flight rather than the ships. Very dynamic illustrations of rockets, space suits, physical testing of pilots and astronauts, a Moon landing, and Mars from space. Also 1964 edition.