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Author
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Topic: Mold-A-Rama machine space-themed molds
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-25-2023 09:00 AM
   
collectSPACE Mold-A-Rama and the space shuttle over Earth: A space age toy storyNASA's space shuttle reentered orbit this fall after a 15-month retirement — and this time, it was bright blue. Outlasting the real winged spacecraft by more than a decade, the new space shuttle orbiters are identical to the first ones pulled out in 1981, but this time they are launching from Chicago.  |
thisismills
Member Posts: 519
From: Michigan
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 12-25-2023 01:07 PM
Great article, a topic I've connected personally with since being a child. I have a small collection of these made over the years when visiting various museums.As mentioned in the article, The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan has 10 operating Mold-A-Rama machines and they rotate out the molds periodically. I was able to make one of the bright red Space Shuttles back in 2022. Here are the others in my collection: - Mercury Capsule - Green (Aurora 7 side shown)
- Mercury Capsule - Grey (Friendship 7 side shown)
- Space Shuttle - Red (from Henry Ford Museum)
- Astronaut - Red (from Henry Ford Museum)
- Edison Locomotive - Blue (from Henry Ford Museum)
- Rosa Parks Bus - Green (from Henry Ford Museum)
 
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-25-2023 11:11 PM
Nice! I just read recently that the Mercury capsule was one of the original molds when the machines were first introduced. A couple of years ago, a friend (and cS member) gifted me with a red astronaut like yours. That inspired me to see what other molds were available and discovering the space shuttle over Earth. I knew I wanted to write an article on the subject, but my original idea for a way into the story was dashed when I learned that no records exist for when and where each mold was offered and in what colors. Still, I sought to collect as many different color space shuttles as I could for what I imagined would be the lead photo of the eventual article. What ultimately ran today shows part of my 20+ piece collection. |
kosmo
Member Posts: 536
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 12-26-2023 11:52 AM
These bring a smile to my face. Such simple toys, from a simpler time. Robert, are there other space related Mold-A-Rama's? I seem to remember a Gemini also, but not sure. Also, do the Mold-A-Rama's have were they came from printed on them? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-26-2023 12:03 PM
As mentioned toward the end of the article, there are two other styles of space shuttles (in addition to the space shuttle over Earth) as well as Mercury and Gemini capsules, the Apollo lunar module, an astronaut and a Titan IIIC rocket.Some venues add their name to some of the molds, but it is not universal. None of the space shuttles in my collection have a venue listed, even though there is a small blank plaque where such an inscription could go. |
kosmo
Member Posts: 536
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 12-26-2023 01:16 PM
Sorry Robert, I overlooked your space news article, and went to messages. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-27-2023 11:31 AM
No worries, I am just glad there are others here who take delight in these.I am hoping Mold-A-Rama does proceed with making a Dragon capsule mold, keeping their space-related line of plastic toys growing. |
kosmo
Member Posts: 536
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 12-27-2023 02:04 PM
Robert, do you have examples of the other space related Mold-A-Rama’s in your collection? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-27-2023 02:25 PM
I only have a red astronaut (as Jeff pictured above), which was a gift from a friend.I purposely chose to limit myself to the shuttles, though it has been very tempting try to go after the others as well. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-18-2024 02:19 PM
The space shuttle over Earth mold is no longer available at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. It has been replaced by a new mold of the Boeing 727.Hopefully, a new venue for the space shuttle mold will be announced soon. |
James913
Member Posts: 328
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 01-19-2024 09:08 AM
Here's a shot of my collection. These are all the known space-related Mold-A-Rama models, except for a Space Robot that I've never sought out (though now with Robonaut and FEDOR both on the ISS, I'll probably eventually add the fairly common Space Robot also). The hardest to find is the Apollo 11 LEM and astronaut on the lunar surface. Mine is cast in glossy black (which actually looks much better in person than I thought it would). I have only ever seen another in an ivory/off-white plastic (origin unknown). There's oral history that says the original LEM 1965 second season World's Fair issue was in a light sky blue plastic (probably from the Hall of Science or the Transportation & Travel Pavilion near the "To The Moon And Beyond" exhibit) with a description of the LEM imprinted on the back, but I have never seen a photo of one of these. My black version is a later release from the Great Explorations Children's Museum (with Great Explorations St. Petersburg on back; picture below of the mold set). I have seen discussions about two other mold sets that may or may not have been available at the 1965 World's Fair — a Space Lab and a Space Taxi — but again, there doesn't seem to be any photos or sketches of these. The current Mold-A-Rama owner/producer Facebook page is a great resource for historical data as well as new reissues/releases.  
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-19-2024 09:46 AM
The machines operating today under the name "Mold-A-Rama" are the property of an Illinois based company (also on Facebook) by the same name.There is also Unique Souvenirs, Inc. (Facebook), which today operates Mold-A-Matic machines. The company was founded by Eldin Irwin, who developed the space shuttle over Earth mold, as well as many others. Moldville, as linked above, also operates as the International Arcade Museum. |
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