When you got that new chemistry set in 1957 one of the first things you did was to mix stuff together. Then if nothing cool happened you might try to read the manual that came with the chemistry set. Porter took advantage of the space age by enclosing a booklet that taught you a little science while giving recipes for something cool.
Porter Chemical Company was based in Hagerstown, Maryland. They produced the "Chemcraft Chemistry Sets" that many baby boomers had as children. For more about the sets see here: http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/issues/2007/december/thechemistrysetgeneration.asp
Sorry for the long gap between posts but work and family occasionally take their toll. Hopefully I am more regular again.