|
Object #: 2011.004.002
Object Name: Cartoon
Place or Origin: United States
Date of Origin: 1961
Source: Kansas Cosmosphere and Space center, donation made by Sunny Smith
Dimensions: 12.5" x 9"
Weight: ~1 oz.
Description: A black and white cartoon depicting Ham the Chimp as Chief Instructor briefing three unhappy-looking Mercury astronauts (Gus Grissom, John Glenn, and Alan Shepard) on their upcoming space flights. The comment line tells the reader Ham is inferring the humans might feel the urge to have a banana while in the middle of their mission. John Emmwood, the cartoonist, signed the bottom right corner in a fountain pen, "With best wishes, Sincerely, John Emmwood, 1961."
Historical Notes: John Emmwood, a political cartoonist, drew this black and white cartoon in 1961, the year the Mercury program took off. The comic is reflective of the tensions felt by the astronauts towards NASA using chimps in space flight. This year continues the 50th Anniversary of the Mercury program, with Glenn's flight being remembered in February, Carpenter's in April, and Schirra's in October. The original seven Mercury astronauts were: Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra, Gordon Cooper, and Deke Slayton. Deke Slayton was a member of the original seven, but did not fly due to an issue with his heart. After his grounding Slayton served NASA in a civilian post, Head of Astronaut Selection. Slayton eventually flew into space during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP).
Curatorial Comments: The Emmwood cartoon makes me think of the Clint Eastwood movie "Space Cowboys." Within the Cosmosphere's Hall of Space Museum, you can find the couch that flew Enos the chimp into space. The Cosmosphere is proud to be the home of Gus Grissom's Liberty Bell 7, which is also displayed in the Hall of Space. Be sure to check out our February Coffee at the Cos talk, as we celebrate the anniversary of John Glenn's historic flight. |
o |
