Author
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Topic: Republic Freezette Moon Soil Container
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MOL Member Posts: 108 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 06-22-2020 01:13 PM
I recently obtained a six inch tall cylindrical plastic container made by Republic Molding Corp. in 1969 as part of their "Freezette" line of food containers for home freezer use. The side of the container reads "selected by NASA to receive moon soil." Does anyone have background or even photos of how and where these were used for that purpose? I presume it was at the LRL Lunar Receiving Lab in Houston? |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 44097 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-22-2020 01:44 PM
I have one of these as well. They came in a few colors, including red (as pictured), a light blue and white. I haven't been able to confirm if they are connected, but the closest I have been able to find are these (or similar) plastic sample containers that were used in the Lunar Receiving Lab. You can see them in use in this LRL photo (at far right). |
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4547 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-22-2020 01:58 PM
The LRL molded sample containers were manufactured by Bel-Art Products. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 44097 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-22-2020 05:24 PM
The Chicago Sun Times mentioned Republic Molding in their Apollo 11 50th anniversary coverage of how the city and its area businesses reacted to the moon landing: The Republic Molding Corp, at 6330 W. Touhy Ave., let it be known that every last moon rock and speck of dust would be gathered in their boilable plastic jars, spaceworthy jars that the public could themselves buy for less than 40 cents apiece. And then I found this NASA photo captioned as follows: Open rock box, partially outfitted with core sample tubes and sample container dispenser. |
MOL Member Posts: 108 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 06-22-2020 11:11 PM
Thanks so much for finding this info Robert! |