This toy play helmet allowed its owner to pretend to be Colonel Ed McCauley, the star character (depicted by William Lundigan) in the television program, Men into Space (1959–60). In its one season of half hour black and white programs, Men into Space depicted the realistic adventures of Colonel Edward McCauley, head of a fictional American space program. Aimed at adults, executed with the cooperation of the Department of Defense, and aired on CBS, Men into Space offered a fact-based depiction of space flight in the near future of the budding space age. It was produced by Ziv Television Programs, Inc., a Midwestern company known as the leading producer of first-run syndicated programming.
John C. Fredriksen, who is also the author of an eponymous episode guide to Men into Space, gave the toy helmet to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in 2013.
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-Popular Culture
Manufacturer
Ideal Toy Corp.
Dimensions
Overall: 21.6cm × 26.7cm × 25.4cm, 0.5kg (8.5 × 10.5 × 10 in., 1lb.)
Materials
HAZMAT: Cadmium
Aluminum
Ferrous Alloy
Plastic
Ink
Inventory Number
A20140036000
Credit Line
Gift of John. C. Fredriksen, Ph.D.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.