Object Details
Manufacturer
Hohner
Summary
This harmonica is part of the harmonica and bell set was carried by astronauts Walter "Wally" Schirra and Tom Stafford aboard Gemini 6 in December of 1965. The mission was to test the docking and maneuvering capability of the Gemini spacecraft.
Approximately five hours after the successful maneuvering of the two spacecraft to within six inches of each other, astronauts Schirra and Stafford played "Jingle Bells" with these instruments and pretended to be a UFO called Santa Claus.
Ever the test pilot, Schirra reported that before he donated the instrument to the Smithsonian, he had "retested the harmonica and it performs quite well." He gave it to the Museum in 1967.
Credit Line
Donated by Walter M. Schirra, Jr.
Inventory Number
A19670148000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Personal Items
Materials
Steel
Wood
Nylon
Velcro
Nickel Plating
Varnish
Paint
Dimensions
3-D (Harmonica): 4 × 1.3 × 1cm (1 9/16 × 1/2 × 3/8 in.)
Other (String): 1.5 × 13cm (9/16 in. × 5 1/8 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Exhibition
Destination Moon
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19670148000
