This harmonica is part of the harmonica and bell set was carried by astronauts Walter "Wally" Schirra and Tom Stafford aboard Gemini 6 in December of 1965. The mission was to test the docking and maneuvering capability of the Gemini spacecraft.
Approximately five hours after the successful maneuvering of the two spacecraft to within six inches of each other, astronauts Schirra and Stafford played "Jingle Bells" with these instruments and pretended to be a UFO called Santa Claus.
Ever the test pilot, Schirra reported that before he donated the instrument to the Smithsonian, he had "retested the harmonica and it performs quite well." He gave it to the Museum in 1967.
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
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Personal Items
Manufacturer
Hohner
Dimensions
3-D (Harmonica): 4 × 1.3 × 1cm (1 9/16 × 1/2 × 3/8 in.)
Other (String): 1.5 × 13cm (9/16 in. × 5 1/8 in.)
Materials
Steel
Wood
Nylon
Velcro
Nickel Plating
Varnish
Paint
Inventory Number
A19670148000
Credit Line
Donated by Walter M. Schirra, Jr.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.
