Country of Origin: United States
Dimensions:
2-D - Unframed (H x W) (Ribbon): 12.7 x 3.8cm (5 in. x 1 1/2 in.)
2-D - Unframed (H x W) (Button): 6.4cm (2 1/2 in. dia.)
Materials:
Plastic button w/ metal safety pin and fabric ribbon
This dynamic button celebrated NASA astronaut John H. Glenn Jr.'s February 20, 1962 flight, which made him the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth. The shifting images created using a lenticular lens on the button depict the capsule blasting off from Florida, followed by the Mercury spacecraft arcing into orbit over Glenn's head (shown in his Mercury helmet) while stars twinkle above. Because the American orbits finally matched earlier Soviet achievements, Glenn returned to national celebration. Timothy Connelly donated this button, collected by his father, an avid button collector, to the National Collection in 2005.
Gift of Timothy Connelly
