1963 Kellogg Co. : Famous Firsts
The Famous Firsts card series was distributed in 1963 by the Kellogg
Company of Great Britain, Ltd. The 12-card collection features painted
illustrations of famous explorers and milestones in modern history. Each card
measures approximately 1.42 x 2.6 inches (66 x 36 mm).
Card #7 depicts "The First Man into Space," Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. On April 12,
1961, Gagarin became the first human to fly in space and orbit the Earth.
The depiction of the Vostok 1 launch vehicle is inaccurate, likely due to
the limited information available to the public at the time of print. The card text incorrectly states that the Vostok spacecraft "landed at a slow speed with Gagarin inside." Gagarin ejected from the spacecraft during descent and parachuted to Earth.
"Major Yuri Gagarin, the Russian 'Cosmonaut', rocketed into space on April 12th 1961. Gagarin's 'normal gravity' body weight increased greatly to a probable 1/2 ton on acceleration. As the capsule "Vostock" curved into orbit, weightlessness at zero gravity produced no ill-effects. Earth and cabin solar thermometers registered several thousand degrees Centigrade nose-cone temperature on re-entry into the atmosphere. Gagarin was strapped to his couch-seat, which had a built- in supply of oxygen connected to his pressurised space-suit and a release-action for the reclining position. A revolving globe on the 'dash-board' showed and helped him control his exact position in orbit and a small porthole gave a view of the Earth. Controlled electronically from the ground, retro-rockets acted as giant brakes on descent. The 4 1/2 ton capsule landed at a slow speed with Gagarin inside."
| Famous Firsts | |
|---|---|
| 1 | First at Victoria Falls |
| 2 | First at the North Pole |
| 3 | The First Scientific Nurse |
| 4 | The First Circumnavigation |
| 5 | Man's First Aerial Voyage |
| 6 | First at the South Pole |
| 7 | The First Man into Space |
| 8 | First to the Deepest Part of the Ocean |
| 9 | The First V.C. |
| 10 | The First Ascent of Mount Everest |
| 11 | The First Non-Stop Transatlantic Flight |
| 12 | The First Cross-Channel Swim |