This presentation case held a lapel pin commemorating the historic flight of astronaut John Glenn in the Friendship 7 spacecraft. On February 20, 1962, he became the first American to orbit the Earth. In Friendship 7, which is also in the Museum's collection, Glenn orbited the Earth three times in a flight that lasted a little less than five hours. It was the third piloted spaceflight of the Project Mercury program. Glenn returned to national acclaim, including a ticker tape parade in New York City. The lapel pin that this case held is one example of the excitement about Glenn's achievement as expressed in material objects.

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 (Closed): 11.1 × 7.6 × 2.5cm (4 3/8 × 3 × 1 in.)
Storage: 19.1 × 15.2 × 6.4cm (7 1/2 × 6 × 2 1/2 in.)

Materials

Wood
Synthetic Leather
Paperboard
Synthetic Fabric
Paint
Adhesive

Inventory Number

A20020269001

Credit Line

Found In Collection. Donor unknown at this time. Found on NASM premises.

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

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