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This Guided Missile mechanical bank is the first model created by Astro Manufacturing Inc., a company created by two brothers, John and Steven Berzac, who left Duro Manufacturing, another mechanical bank maker, in 1957. The basic rocket shape contained a spring-loaded mechanism that could shoot a coin into a slot on the underside of the rocket's nose. A plug at the bottom of the rocket could be removed to retrieve the coins.
Created to be distributed as a premium by local commercial banks, the Guided Missile included an adhesive sticker that advertised the gifting institution. The sticker created by the American Trust Company of Hannibal, Missouri played off of the bank's shape, suggesting the bank would help "Rocket Your Savings Up."
Raymond Reines donated this bank to the Museum in 2011.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date
1957
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
MEMORABILIA
Manufacturer
Astro Manufacturing Inc. Dimensions
Overall: 33 × 7 × 7cm, 0.5kg (1 ft. 1 in. × 2 3/4 in. × 2 3/4 in., 1.2lb.) Materials
Unknown Metal
Plastic
Coating Inventory Number
A20110031000
Credit Line
Gift of Raymond R. Reines. Dedicated to the Berzac Family, in honor of Team NASA.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
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For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.