ROBOTS, SAUCERS, & ASTRONAUTS - OH MY!
The Space Race between the United States and the then Soviet Union in the late 1950's sparked the imagination of every man, woman, and child of the possibilities out there.. beyond what we know. The Soviet's launch of Sputnik started the "Race" to get a man in outer space. While this was a political rally between two super powers that could threaten national security, pop culture was so greatly effected - it changed the coarse of the medium. Every aspect of Art, Advertising, and Entertainment became engrossed in the race and also in the unknown. While anyone who was a child of the 60's will remember the brunt of products aimed at the hungry imaginations - from syrup bottles shaped like robots - to elaborate space ships and outer worldly space stations toy sets. Children of the 70's will remember less of an obsession with robots and saucers - as Hollywood had moved on and we soon had TV and Movies like Star Trek and Star Wars to obsess over. I remember playing with a spinning top like the toy pictured here - but it had been my brother and cousins toys - who were about 5 years older than I was and born in the late 60's. I had every Star Trek action figure as a kid - and I would have them battle the characters from Planet of the Apes - but that is another story and a battle never waged on the big screen! and
To see the Space Race exhibit - be sure to walk between terminals 1 and 2 if you are in SFO Airport anytime soon!
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