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Space General Corporation Moon Suit
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A heavy topic of discussion among the members of the Major Matt Mason community is the origin of the MMM Moonsuit. Mattel seems to have copied a design by the Space General Corporation from the early 60's. The suit, called the Lunar Exploration Suit, Model MK 1 was tested heavily in the Mojave desert by the inventor, Allyn Hazard (pic at right).
The suit appeared on the Cover of Life Magazine April 27, 1962 with a couple of extra interior shots and an accompanying article (more info below).
The suit next appeared in a couple of articles for Boys Life Magazine October 1964 with accompanying photographs (second page).
Finally, the suit appeared in the Life Science Library - Man and Space Edition also in 1964 (third page)
There are also misc. appearances of the suit as toys and collectibles (fourth page)..
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Rather Snappy Attire for the Moon Walker out on a stroll!!
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Life Magazine, April 27, 1962
Apparently the first appearance of the suit to see print, the cover of
this issue of life features the bell-like moon suit that Mattel copied for the MMM accessory. The cover story is "Man's Journey to the Moon" and some of
the interior stories follow this theme. Inside, another photo of the suit
with the caption "Moon Suit. Testing a moon suit mock-up, Inventor Allyn
Hazard stands in a lava crater on the Mojave Desert. Suit carries own
oxygen, food." The accompanying article has "As for protecting the men
themselves, at least one company - California's Space-General - has already
built and is trying out a very early model moon suit.
It carries food, water, a radio, a tiny stove and air conditioning to
insulate its occupant from the 300 degree fluctuations of lunar temperature.
Its weight of 200 pounds, unwieldy on earth, should be no problem on the
moon where things weigh six times less." Below the article are photos
of various moon vehicles...one looks a little like the Space Bubble.
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Moon Suit. Testing a moon suit mock-up, Inventor Allyn Hazard stands in a lava crater on the Mojave Desert. Suit carries own oxygen, food.
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There was a short mention of the Moonsuit on UCLA's website celebrating 50 YEARS OF RESEARCH The Second Decade: 1955-1964.
 Dressing For Space
In February of 1961, what the well-dressed space explorer might wear on the moon is modeled using an integrated space suit. Designed by Allyn B. Hazard, the suit is a rather awesome 8-feet high with twin antennas sticking from the helmet, rubber encased arms and legs, a hefty circular midriff, and identification and ground lights. The researchers say that like a skin diver, the moon explorer will have to carry his earth environment with him, including food and liquid, a communication system, and power supply. Click on the image at left to read the entire 50 years of Research articls. (the Moonsuit pic and paragraph are halfway down the page).
Many thanks to MMM list member BJ West for directing me to the UCLA site and this previously unseen image.
There is more information from JPL's own files, provided by David S. F. Portree on his website Romance to Reality |
All images, captions and content are Copyright © 1997-2018 John Eaton unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton, by clicking here.
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