g08/11_vr_bw_o_n (unnumbered, 1966 World Book Encyc. Sci. Svc. photo)
“GT-11 PILOTS:
When GT-8 space travelers David Scott and Neil Armstrong, foreground, posed with backup pilots, Richard F. Gordon and Charles (Pete) Conrad, it made a routine handout picture from NASA.
But shortly afterwards, the troops destroyed NASA protocol’s cool when they borrowed hats, a photographer’s light reflector, and sat again for the deadpan portrait at bottom.
Conrad and Gordon, backups then, are the prime space crew for Gemini 11, scheduled for launch September 9.”
Absolutely delightful. Gordon is totally rockin’ that fedora.
Note also the now-disassembled Gemini spacecraft model. I wonder if the position of Armstrong’s hands was an “American Gothic” homage. Also/finally, the object on Armstrong’s head is not just ANY photographer’s light reflector, thanks to the resolution of the photograph, along with enough of the lettering/wording on it visible, identifies it as a “SMITH-VICTOR”. And they’re still in business! Outstanding:
I really think Smith-Victor may have missed a golden marketing opportunity…especially commencing early to mid-1969. Maybe something like:
- “If our light reflectors are good enough to be worn by the first man on the moon, they’re good enough for your photographic lighting needs.”
- “SMITH-VICTOR: A-OK for Neil, A-OK for YOU!”
- “Luminaries Both: Neil Armstrong & Smith-Victor”
- “Functional AND Fashionable. Take it from Neil!”
g08/11_vr_bw_o_n (unnumbered, 1966 World Book Encyc. Sci. Svc. photo)
“GT-11 PILOTS:
When GT-8 space travelers David Scott and Neil Armstrong, foreground, posed with backup pilots, Richard F. Gordon and Charles (Pete) Conrad, it made a routine handout picture from NASA.
But shortly afterwards, the troops destroyed NASA protocol’s cool when they borrowed hats, a photographer’s light reflector, and sat again for the deadpan portrait at bottom.
Conrad and Gordon, backups then, are the prime space crew for Gemini 11, scheduled for launch September 9.”
Absolutely delightful. Gordon is totally rockin’ that fedora.
Note also the now-disassembled Gemini spacecraft model. I wonder if the position of Armstrong’s hands was an “American Gothic” homage. Also/finally, the object on Armstrong’s head is not just ANY photographer’s light reflector, thanks to the resolution of the photograph, along with enough of the lettering/wording on it visible, identifies it as a “SMITH-VICTOR”. And they’re still in business! Outstanding:
I really think Smith-Victor may have missed a golden marketing opportunity…especially commencing early to mid-1969. Maybe something like:
- “If our light reflectors are good enough to be worn by the first man on the moon, they’re good enough for your photographic lighting needs.”
- “SMITH-VICTOR: A-OK for Neil, A-OK for YOU!”
- “Luminaries Both: Neil Armstrong & Smith-Victor”
- “Functional AND Fashionable. Take it from Neil!”