Going beyond the ordinary
Here in Huntsville, AL, we are in full-blown celebration mode with the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing. Modern space exploration was propelled forward by the brilliant mind of Werner von Braun who took inspiration from Redstone Arsenal, one of our city’s historical landmarks. We have come a long way since those first steps on the moon. Not only are we establishing future programs to take humans to Mars, but we currently have people living in outer space aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Wow!
Loewy inspired technological advances in Space and on Earth
The ISS was not the first Space Station that Americans have lived on. Its predecessor was the Skylab, designed in part by Raymond Loewy. In 1967, NASA asked Loewy to design the interior of the Skylab, creating a hospitable environment that would be comfortable, safe, and psychologically healthy. Loewy was the mastermind behind adding a porthole so that astronauts could make visual contact with Earth. He also introduced simulating the conditions of gravity for astronauts that lived aboard Skylab for long periods of time. George Mueller (NASA’s Office of Manned Space Flight) wrote an appreciation letter to Loewy: “I do not believe that it would have been possible for the Skylab crews to have lived in relative comfort, excellent spirits and outstanding efficiency had it not been for your creative design, based on a deep understanding of human needs.” (Source)
Raymond Loewy’s “Skylab” is a beautiful testament of his work with NASA as an artist, designer, and innovator.
The Skylab program was critical to the development of the modern Space Station. It proved that humans can, in fact, live and work in space. In addition, toilets, showers, exercise equipment, and kitchen facilities were all created to withstand the effects of microgravity. Loewy’s work on the Skylab contributed to many other technologies that were significant in the progress of future space ventures.
Concepts as Art: Skylab
Artists in the 1900s drew out their design ideas for presentation, much like today’s artists conceptualize on computers. When Loewy’s designs became famous as real-life applications, these drawings became valuable themselves. We have several copies of the Skylab concept, each signed and approved by Loewy himself. It can be a special experience to own a piece of technological and interplanetary history. Visit the Skylab product page to purchase your own Loewy design today!
