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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.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type MEMORABILIA-Events Dimensions 3-D (Button): 15.2 × 6.4 × 1cm (6 × 2 1/2 × 3/8 in.)
Storage: 22.9 × 14 × 3.8cm (9 × 5 1/2 × 1 1/2 in.)
 Materials Steel
Plastic
Ribbon
Paint
Ink
Copper Alloy
Adhesive
 Inventory Number A20050479000 Credit Line Gift of Timothy Connelly Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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