This framework held the prototypes for the "Women of NASA" set proposed by science writer and LEGO® enthusiast Maia Weinstock in 2016. Weinstock posted her idea on the LEGO® Ideas competition website. Propelled by social media, her concept reached the required 10,000 votes in less than two weeks. After LEGO® accepted her proposal, she helped their designers create the final set for commercial sale.
The prototypes featured MIT’s Margaret Hamilton, who developed the onboard flight software for Apollo lunar missions, as well as trailblazing astronomer Dr. Nancy Grace Roman, considered the mother of the Hubble Space Telescope. The set also included two NASA astronauts: Dr. Sally K. Ride, the first American woman in space, and Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space. The prototypes included NASA mathematician and human computer Katherine Johnson, who ultimately declined to be represented in the final kit.
Maia Weinstock donated the prototype set to the Museum in 2018.
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-Popular Culture
Manufacturer
LEGO, Denmark
Designer
Ms Maia Weinstock
Dimensions
3-D: 25.4 × 12.7 × 2.2cm (10 × 5 × 7/8 in.)
Materials
Plastic
Inventory Number
A20190354000
Credit Line
Gift of Maia Weinstock
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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