Space Travel (1968)

This is another of those school texts, in this case for Air Cadets. It is Book 9 of the Air Cadet Training Handbook series (1968). The Air Cadet are currently under the Royal Air Force http://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/

This programs allows youth to train and learn about airplanes and aviation. It is the RAF's cadet force similar to the role ROTC plays in American Schools.

This training book oriented youth (between 13-20) to the changing world of space.  It had a futuristic tone since beyond talking about the basics of space travel it speculates on the future of space, both propulsion methods and ways to live in space.

 The book is a little dull in terms of illustrations but the following propulsion diagrams were interesting considering the intended audience.

 Here we have the Solid Core Nuclear Fission Rocket, the Ion Rocket and the Liquid Hydrogen Solar Rocket.

 This series of paintings of the deployment of the Explorer 12 satellite is interesting too. .

 Finally (outdated at the time) the model of the "Goodyear Space Station"

A Source Book of Rockets, Spacecraft, and Spacemen (1973)

A Source Book of Rockets, Spacecraft, and Spacemen represents a specific type of British children's non-fiction book, the identification book.  I have not come across as many of this style in American books.  It usually has a page with a photograph of the type of thing (usually a vehicle) and then a short paragraph about it. the whole book is a sort of guidebook to specific types of vehicles.

Furniss, Tim . A source book of rockets, spacecraft and spacemen. London: Ward Lock. 144 p. 12 x 17 cm.

While not very exciting it does capture what kind of information was thought to be useful. I like this photograph of the first and last (at the time) British satellite.

I am also fond of the illustrations of Skylab and the planned Shuttle orbiter

 The books lives up to the "Spacemen" part of the title by showing you photographs of the American and Russian explorers.

Science Fiction Quizzle Book (1951)

Sometimes things are rare (and valuable) and sometimes they are simply obscure.  This one is so obscure that I can't imagine anyone ever cracking the cover today.  It is part of a series of "Quizzle" activity books and it is one of 8 identified on the back of the title page.


Friend, Trambert James. Illustrated by Ray Favata and Paul Irrera. Science Fiction Quizzle Book. New York: Sam'l Gabriel Sons & Co.,  No. 904. 1951.

It is here however because of the space ship.  It has this story (one we have heard many times): Bobby's dad is building a secret rocket ship! And when it is done he is going to make a secret trip to the Moon.

So the kids sneak aboard the rocket to look around and see a "real" rocket ship. But of course they lean against the wrong black lever...

The kids go to the Moon and meet a Moon man.  I especially like the "shorts with space helmet" look of our explorer.

And of course bouncing on the Moon can be pretty cool.  Eventually though you have to come back home to Earth and be celebrated in a parade as the first space explorers. Such is the life of a child in the 1950s.  Here is a rocket for you to dream with...

Colliers Part 4 : February 28, 1953

The 4th part of the 8 part Colliers space series has been put online in the Jan/Feb issue of IAAA Houston Newsletter "Horizons".  This one covers the Collier’s magazine space articles of February 28, 1953, starting with the cover image, Exclusive, World’s First Space Suit, How and Where We’ll Use it.

This issue of Horizons was published precisely on schedule on Thursday, February 28, 2013, the 60th anniversary of the issue.

These are the best digital versions of these illustrations you will ever see. Be sure to check them out.

http://www.aiaahouston.org/newsletter/

"Magic Shoes and the Rocket Kids" (1962)

Magic Shoe Adventure book was a 1962 give-away comic by the makers of "P.F. Flyers" tennis shoes, B.F. Goodrich. This particular one had adventures on the Moon, adventures with an escaped lion, and saving an indian girl from a waterfall.

P.F. Flyers were advertised (as you can see from the story below) to have a "magic wedge" that made you run faster.

I remember when you went to the shoe store in the early 1960s there were often premiums that were given away with certain shoes. These were incentives to nag Mom for a particular brand.

 Moon rockets and tennis shoes! (aren't they a little close to the launch pad?)

 Do you like the swooping approach to the Moon? That is one sharp pilot!

 I miss bubble space helmets with scuba tanks. The heck with jetpacks where are the cool space helmets?

 The magic shoes! (Although it seems like socks on the Moon would just be common sense)

 Hooray for robot to the rescue!