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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
The Steel Astronauts
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The Steel Astronauts

Artifact ID1965.28.284
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (1889 - 1983)
Gifter
Publisher (founded 1978)
Date ca. August 1965
Medium Ink on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 16 1/4 in x W 12 1/2 in (41.3 cm x 31.8 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ sits at a desk and talks to two astronauts ("Abel" "Union", "Conrad Cooper" "Industry") standing nearby. LBJ says, "If CONRAD and COOPER were ABLE to do a great job for the U.S. - why can't you do the same?". There is a sign on the wall ('White House") and some paper ("Strike Deadline") in trash. Caption reads: "The Steel Astronauts". Artist signature lower right: "Hungerford".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: " August 31 1965" "To President Lyndon B. Johnson from Cy Hungerford Pittsburgh Post Gazette".
Historical NoteIn September 1965, Lyndon Johnson averted a steel strike by pressuring the United Steelworkers union under I. W. Abel and management under U.S. Steel Vice-President R. Conrad Cooper to come to an agreement of raising wages to $4.40 per hour with benefits. Charles “Pete” Conrad and Gordon Cooper were two astronauts that went into orbit Gemini V in August 1965.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced I. W. Abel (American, 1908 - 1987)
Person Referenced Charles "Pete" Conrad (American, 1930 - 1999)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (American, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced R. Conrad Cooper (American, 1903 - 1982)
Person Referenced Leroy Gordon "Gordo" Cooper (American, 1927 - 2004)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Pittsburgh
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