Space Answer Book (1972)

Space Answer Book is a collection of illustrations and questions about space flight. Because the title page says courtesy of The Associated Press, I think these were published in newspapers as a news item or filler.

Waugh, Coulton, Space Answer Book. Mahwah, NJ: Educational Reading Service, 44 p. 1972.

The author, Coulton Waugh, was a interesting figure in the history of comic strips.

"Frederick Coulton Waugh (10 March 1896, Cornwall, England - 23 May 1973) was a cartoonist, painter, teacher and author, best known for his illustration work on the comic strip Dickie Dare and his book The Comics (1947), the first major study of the field."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulton_Waugh

His work links comic strip artists of the 1940s, fine art, and art instruction. I am curious how he came to make this book but suggest that it was part of a newspaper feature (as I mentioned above). The illustrations are detailed and the questions answered cover some interesting topics.

Our Solar System Grade 4-5-6 Dittos (1961)

 Another addition to my "space in school" materials, more space dittos. These were the ubiquitous hand-outs that we got in classrooms when I was growing up.

I have blogged about dittos before: 
http://dreamsofspace.blogspot.com/2013/05/space-dittos-1962.html

They were called dittos because they were made on a machine manufactured by "Ditto" and they were usually "aniline purple."

Forler, Gladys. Space - Our Solar System Grade 4-5-6. Saint Louis, MO: Milliken Publishing Co. [30 pg.] 1961.

 These are very nostalgic for me of a time when these faded (and faint) purple hand-out were a supplement to our education. They reduced a topic to some very basic facts, and often there was a quiz based on them.

 I also remember these "fun pages," which were handed out when the teacher needed a break. We were told to work quietly at our desks and were often given the sheets late on a Friday or before a holiday.

Here is a list of some of the other science-based ditto sheet "masters".

Space play money from Japan (1965?)

I blogged in 2013 about some Moon money I had found: http://dreamsofspace.blogspot.com/2013/05/moon-money-1969.html

Here is another set of space play money. It was evidently printed in Japan, and I am guess made for the American market. I don't know if it was part of a game, or sold separately as a toy. I also don't have a firm date but am guessing around 1965-1967.

 The graphics are not very exciting (when you have seen one bill, you've seen them all). But I find these bills to be a charming space toy.

Gay Travel (1961)

This is another Russian book focusing on transportation in the future. I adore the visions of our electronic, streamlined, helicopter commuting future.

The title "Gay Travel" was translated by the seller, it might also be "Happy travel" or maybe one of my constant readers will have a better one.

Gay Travel.  Moscow. 23 x 29 cm. 1961

From my gentle scanning of the illustrations, it seems to be an exploration of how we might travel in the future. There are only a few space illustrations but the overall design tickles my astrofuturism sensibilities.  I hope you find this as charming as I do.

Streamlined "bubble" cars and commuting helicopters are just a few of the vehicles we have to look forward to.  We have almost reached this future since it seem that many of these cars are self-driving (and televisions in cars).Why not include chess, sleep, reading, and playing with your dog?

 Streamlined trains also evidently lie ahead for us. I particular can not wait for the swimming pool car on my next train trip.

 Domed mega-cities are the obvious solution to global warming. Why spend all this time trying to control the Earth's climate when we can live in climate-controlled luxury (until the machines stop of course)?

 I was also a big fan of our undersea future when I was growing up, so this series of exploration vehicles is very promising.

 Our future in space begins with stratospheric planes.  We are still hoping to make our world smaller with faster and higher jets.

 These last three illustrations show how we will move out into space, exploring the moon (although the person in the upsidedown space suit does not seem to be demonstrating good safety practices).

 Finally I really like the use of color in illustrations of space stations. There is no need for everything to be grey, blue and silver. It may increase your heating and cooling costs but a little color brightens up the "landscape".