This charm bracelet was assembled by Antoinette "Toni" Foster, the wife of Robert L. "Bob" Foster, a McDonnell Aircraft Corporation engineer, while she lived in Florida during the years that Bob Foster worked at Cape Kennedy. Foster brought his wife the space-themed charms in celebration of space projects and programs in which he participated (and to make up for being away so much while he worked). The two engraved charms were presented to Mrs. Foster by classes at the Florida schools where she taught.
This one-of-a-kind artifact provides a glimpse into the lives of the wives of engineers who worked long hours in order to meet the deadlines required for space projects. Because this bracelet also includes charms associated with local schools, it also illustrates the larger community in which space work was embedded.
The Fosters' daughter, Sally Foster-Chang, donated the bracelet to the National Collection in 2005.
Display Status
This object is on display in Destination Moon at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
MEMORABILIA-People
Dimensions
3-D (Bracelet, approximate): 15.2 × 4.8 × 1cm (6 × 1 7/8 × 3/8 in.)
Storage: 8.3 × 11.1 × 2.5cm (3 1/4 × 4 3/8 × 1 in.)
Materials
Gold
Inventory Number
A20050074000
Credit Line
Gift of Sally Foster-Chang in memory of her parents: Bob and Toni Foster
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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