This small metal spaceship toy was manufactured by Tootsie Toy as a part of the merchandise created around the Buck Rogers comic strip. In 1929, Buck Rogers debuted as a comic after National News Service president asked writer Anthony Nowlan to create a strip based on a character, Anthony Rogers, originated in a short story. By the early 1930s, several different toy companies were producing licensed playthings, including this one. The metal spaceship model is modeled after the "Blast Attack ship" from the comics. It has a small channel on the top, through which the owner could thread a string in order to "fly" the toy from one end of the string to the other.
Collector Michael O'Harro gave this toy to the Museum in 1993.
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
Date
1937
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture
Manufacturer
Tootsietoy
Dimensions
3-D: 12 × 4 × 5.8cm (4 3/4 × 1 9/16 × 2 5/16 in.)
Materials
Overall, metal; box, original, cardboard
Inventory Number
A19973006000
Credit Line
Gift of Michael O'Harro.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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