THE ROCKET: ICONIC FORM AND TRANSPORT TO SPACE

The classic form of a rocket transcends any use to which it may be put, be it carnival ride, salt shaker or table lamp. Whether made of plastic, tin or cardboard, a rocket is always an eye-catching dream machine. Rockets originate on Earth. They boast tremendous power and roar on take-off. Rockets carry humans away from Earth. Sometimes they return. The rocket symbolizes our ability to traverse the galaxies. It is a symbol of our quest to know who we are and how we fit into the big picture. It represents freedom and a will to confront the unknown. On some level the rocket reflects a basic trust in the Universe, for it recognizes outer space as a place where humans belong. During the late 1950s and early 60s rockets were everywhere – department stores, 5 and dimes, car dealerships and amusement parks. They pervaded American culture.