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Astronaut Thomas D. Jones bought this sharpening stone to represent the mysterious monolith in the book and film, 2001 A Space Odyssey. He took it and the book with him on the first Space Shuttle mission of 2001, STS-98 on Atlantis. If he had some free time on camera, he planned to compare Arthur C. Clarke's futuristic vision with the realities of space travel, using the "monolith" as a prop in weightlessness. Jones credited the book and film for his fascination with spaceflight and influencing his decision to become an astronaut. He gave his copy of the book and this "monolith" to the Museum in 2016.
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
LITERATURE AND RESEARCH
Author
Arthur C. Clarke Manufacturer
Sears Roebuck & Co. Dimensions
3-D ('Monolith'): 12.7 × 5.1 × 1.9cm (5 × 2 × 3/4 in.)
3-D (Box): 13.3 × 5.7 × 2.2cm (5 1/4 × 2 1/4 × 7/8 in.) Materials
Stone (silicon carbide)
Paperboard, Adhesive
Ink, Coating Inventory Number
A20170019001
Credit Line
Gift of Thomas D. Jones
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.