Das Neue Universum, Volume 67 (1950)

 

Das Neue Universum (The New Universe) was a German science annual series aimed at older children.

From the German Wikipedia site (translated) : "The New Universe is a German children's literature series with themes in the fields of knowledge , research , adventure and entertainment . In addition to factual topics , Das Neue Universum also publishes fictional texts, e.g. by Isaac Asimov , Hans Dominik , and Michael K. Iwoleit . The choice of topic and content design were traditionally characterized by optimism about the future , science and feasibility from – nowadays also supplemented by more critical elements. While early volumes were aimed at the "mature youth" as a target group, today's readership, according to the publisher, consists of young people aged 15 and over and adults. Published since 1880 with 120 volumes up to 2020."

This annual had many interesting spaceflight articles over the years. In this 1950 volume (#67) they highlighted space stations with an article about a fictional voyage, with factual data.. They had a beautiful fold-out illustration in the front of the book. My friends shared their copy with me, which they treasured growing up.

DETAILS OF THE SPACE STATION ILLUSTRATION

"The New Universe 67 – 1950 Front folding panel: The artificial moon orbits 1,300 kilometers from Earth. Watercolor by K. Bürgle"

Incident with Heliopolis. A true story from 1958. By Heinz Gartman

The Boys Book of Rockets (1950)

This is a short follow--up to the earlier 1947 U.S. edition of this book blogged here:

http://dreamsofspace.blogspot.com/2009/03/boys-book-of-rockets-1947.html


Yates, Raymond F. Illustrated by Yates, Raymond F. The Boy's Book of Rockets. London : TW Laurie. (131 p.) 22 cm.  UK reprint of 1947 1st US edition.

I like this British description of the book (from the book jacket).  I also like the description that starts the chapter about going to the Moon.

With no updating (really at all) there is not much else to show from this book that you have not already seen. But here is an excuse for the standard late 1940's picture for the Viking test rockets in the Southwest desert.

The Boys' Book of Rockets (1950)

April is turning out to be a very busy month with almost no time to post.  Here is a 1950 edition of this 1947 book that I already blogged about.

http://dreamsofspace.blogspot.com/search/label/1947

Almost no difference in content but a much nicer cover.

Rocket (1950)

There was few if any non-fiction children's books about spaceflight before World War 2. Because of the use of rockets in that war in Russia and the U.S., there developed a trickle of children's books about rockets. These books restated the history of rockets, how they were used in war and the possibility that rockets might help people leave the planet. Before the war this was mostly science fiction but these books introduced the idea that it was possible.

"Rocket" by B. Ljapunov and pictures by N. Kolchitsky. 159 p.

The Russians had a slight step up on the US because of their writer/scientist/inventor K. Tsiolkovsky. He had speculated widely about the possibilities of space, designed rockets and written science fiction about flights. He was respected in Russia as a "son of Russia". Much more so than Robert Goddard was respected in the US for similar visions.


These space station designs are incredible and really show how construction in space did not have to be aerodynamic.