The Story of the I.G.Y. and the Earth Satellites (1957)

The IGY or International Geophysical Year was one of the philosophical beginnings of our space program. When the United States committed to being part of the program, it also signaled that using rockets to launch satellites was a real possibility. All the military rocket efforts now had a civilian use they could promote since one of the rockets might be used to lauch the proposed research satellite.

This pamphlet was one of many issued in 1957 (pre-Sputnik) that educated people about the research effort.

This image by itself makes the whole publication a priceless treasure :)

Race for the Moon (1967)

The discussion about Action Man over in Project Sword Toys (yes I am following you too) reminded me of this book. Over in the USA it was GI Joe and his space capsule that captured my interest in the 1960s. Action Man was the UK equivalent, but he also had several books of his adventures issued.


The story is kind of insipid about enemy spies in orbit but I love all space art illustration and Action Man has a great determined/tough guy look on his face. None of the US Astronauts in 1967 seem to look as tough.

The Book of Model Space Ships (1952)

Wallis Rigby was the guru of "punch-out" books. He designed hundreds of paper models designed to be punched out and built. The Book of Model Space Ships is a great example of his work. Rather than show pages of unbuilt silver paper models, I choose the back cover that shows how you could fly your ships (while wearing your helmet and ray-gun!)



I think this 1951 book was also Wallis Rigby's work, although I have never seen (or been able to afford) one.

Why Satellites Stay in Orbit (1964)

Scotch tape???

Back when America had one giant neck ache from looking up all the time, educators and authors tried to explain many wonders to children. I mean how many adults do you know who can explain why satellites don't fall down?

Engelbrektson, Sune. Illustrated by Ames, Lee. Why Satellites Stay in Orbit? New York: Holt Rinehart and Winston Inc. (26 p.)

This is a very basic book on gravity using satellites and space craft as examples. Illustrations of satellites, rockets and the Earth from space.

The Complete Book of Outer Space (1953)

Sort of an adult rather than children's book today but it is a great anthology of early space articles and experts.

Logan, Jeffrey. The Complete Book of Outer Space. New York: Gnome Press. (144 p.) 25 cm.

Reprinted as a 1953 softcover magazine by Maco Magazine as: The Complete Book of Outer Space. New York : Maco Magazine Corp. (144 p.) 24 cm.

And in the UK as:

Man and Space (1960)

One of my favorite covers (sorry for the poor scan).

Davis, Clive E. Man and Space. New York : Dodd, Mead, and Co. (95 p.) 19 x 24 cm.

The Next 50 Years on the Moon (1974)

Happy 2010! It seems like such a futuristic date, when you were born what did you think 2010 would look like? I certainly thought when we landed on the moon that it wouldn't take us 50 years to get back. In 1974 this seemed like the map of the future.

Bergaust, Erik The Next 50 Years on the Moon. New York: GP Putnam's Sons. (94 p.) 24 cm.

This is a fascinating book using aerospace contractor's paintings to illustrate the planned next steps on the Moon including the first scientific colonies and establishment of a lunar colony. Many of the illustrations are from long abandoned plans (even at that time) but the story of our future reads like an alternate history. The last chapter is a 50 year timetable from 1970 to 2020 how a manned presence on the Moon will become ordinary. Illustrations of Moon rovers and Moon colony designs.