Home > Uncategorized > Hovercars cannot be far behind.

Hovercars cannot be far behind.

space pilot cover

The 40th anniversary of the first time a human being walked on the moon is upon us. We know now what happened, but let me share with you this little gem from 1961, well before the details were ironed out.




space pilot upside downspace pilot capsule
“I Want to Be a Space Pilot” by Carla Green, illustrated by Donna Cieslak, was one book in the “I Want to Be a…” series of children’s books.

The idea was to explain careers in ways that children could understand.

Some bits they got right or close to right, like astronaut training…


space pilot stationspace pilot colony
…but some parts were a little optimistic.

“Before I go to the moon,” said Kip, “brave space pilots may have built a space station. It will be between the earth and the moon. I can stop there.”

Yeah, they may. Then again, they may not.

Check also the lunar colony that the guy is studying houseplants in. Love the optimism.


There’s more, but let’s cut to the final page. The looks on the kids’ faces in the rear strikes me as fairly evil. Little does Kip know that they’ve punched tiny holes in his helmet.

space pilot rocket stop
Mwahahahaaaa…

I picked up some other vintage finds. There were some LIFE magazines from late ’68, and from July and August ’69 all having to do with the moon landing that I couldn’t resist. I’ll share some of that another time.

Until then, space cadets!

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:
  1. July 13th, 2009 at 00:25 | #1

    this is so cool. i came by your journal by chance. i love vintage books and space! my journal is friends only but and i set old entries to private every few weeks but i’d love to add you. i’m not a creep.
    let me know if that is okay.

    -suzie

  2. July 13th, 2009 at 00:25 | #2

    this is so cool. i came by your journal by chance. i love vintage books and space! my journal is friends only but and i set old entries to private every few weeks but i’d love to add you. i’m not a creep.
    let me know if that is okay.

    -suzie

  3. July 13th, 2009 at 01:00 | #3

    Sure thing! I don’t often put up old books, but you’re still welcome.

  4. July 13th, 2009 at 01:00 | #4

    Sure thing! I don’t often put up old books, but you’re still welcome.

  5. July 13th, 2009 at 07:28 | #5

    Heh, too bad you didn’t find one that is titled “I Want To Be A Crazy Knitter”….lol.

    You are such an interesting person! I keep forgetting that….snicker, snort, giggle…..Sorry, it wasn’t meant to be MEAN! I am sincere, you seem to have so many interests and you DO things while I sit around my office every day reading “Twilight” fanfiction and eating cream cheese and ham sandwiches…lol.

  6. July 13th, 2009 at 07:28 | #6

    Heh, too bad you didn’t find one that is titled “I Want To Be A Crazy Knitter”….lol.

    You are such an interesting person! I keep forgetting that….snicker, snort, giggle…..Sorry, it wasn’t meant to be MEAN! I am sincere, you seem to have so many interests and you DO things while I sit around my office every day reading “Twilight” fanfiction and eating cream cheese and ham sandwiches…lol.

  7. July 13th, 2009 at 15:55 | #7

    Aw. How sweet! Can I link this?

  8. July 13th, 2009 at 15:55 | #8

    Aw. How sweet! Can I link this?

  9. July 13th, 2009 at 16:04 | #9

    Sure!

  10. July 13th, 2009 at 16:04 | #10

    Sure!

  1. No trackbacks yet.
You must be logged in to post a comment.