Imagined Futures: The Space Age

How have artists and designers visualised the future of space travel? From pulp magazine covers to furniture design to the NASA art programme, this episode explores how science fiction illustration and geopolitical concerns shaped the way the public thought about space travel and transformed mid-century visual culture.

Featuring Amber Butchart, Nina Steinmüller, and Lois Rosson.

This episode is presented in partnership with The Public Domain Review, an online journal exploring curious and compelling works from the history of art, literature, and ideas.

RELATED LINKS:

Object: https://objectstories.co

Public Domain Review: https://publicdomainreview.org

1999 A.D. (1967 film): https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/1999-ad/NASA

Art Program images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasacommons/albums/72157633977913266/

AUDIO CLIPS:

"1999 A.D.," directed by Lee Madden (Philco-Ford, 1967).

“We choose to go to the Moon,” 12 September 1962, speech by John F. Kennedy at Rice University.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Host, research & production: Ferren Gipson

Music: Tom Lloyd

Object cover art: Anna Bu Kliewer

Learn more at objectstories.co

Follow @ferrengipson on Instagram

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