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Viewfinder, Camera, Leica, Friendship 7

Air and Space Museum

This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Open Access page.
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  • Rectangle box-shaped camera with velcro on curved top
  • Rectangle box-shaped camera with velcro on curved top and "on/off" flip switch on side
  • Bottom of rectangle box-shaped camera with label and suction cup on side
  • Velco on curved top of rectangle box-shaped camera

    Object Details

    Manufacturer

    Unknown

    Summary

    In order for John Glenn to take photographs during his February 20, 1962 mission while still wearing his bulky spacesuit, NASA engineers modified a Leica camera with this special viewfinder. This special attachment featured a suction cup on the back side to allow Glenn to easily place the device against the visor when he was required to keep it down. The viewfinder was removeable for when Glenn did not need his visor down, and the velcro strip on the rounded top let him manage its location inside the spacecraft.
    NASA transferred this rangefinder to the Museum along with all other Friendship 7 equipment in 1967.

    Credit Line

    Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Inventory Number

    A19670201000

    Restrictions & Rights

    CC0

    Type

    EQUIPMENT-Photographic

    Materials

    Overall: metal, plastic
    Suction cup: rubber

    Dimensions

    3-D: 6.4 x 3.8 x 7.6cm (2 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 3 in.)

    Country of Origin

    United States of America

    See more items in

    National Air and Space Museum Collection

    Data Source

    National Air and Space Museum

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv954c926a0-636a-46c0-b6e7-d7170dcdfda5

    Record ID

    nasm_A19670201000

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