Spacecraft | mechanical toy:Buck Rogers Spaceship

Anthony "Buck" Rogers first appeared in Philip Francis Nowlan's science-fiction tale "Armageddon 2419 A.D." in 1928. In the following year, Nowlan collaborated with John Flint Dille on the first science-fiction comic strip in national syndication, "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century." The comic ran from 1929 to 1967. As the story begins when Buck, a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, is inadvertently transported 500 years into the future. He finds a United States ruled by evil "Red Mongols." The comics record his constant battles with the "Hans" and his mortal enemy, Killer Kane. Wilma Deering provides Buck's love interest; and Dr. Huer fills in as the scientist. (The Sunday comics also featured Wilma's brother Buddy and a Princess Alura of Mars.) In addition to comics and a radio serial, Buck Rogers appeared in juvenile books, a television serial (1950-1953), a TV series (1979-1981), and a feature-length film of 1979. A film serial of 12 episodes released in 1939 proved Buck's continued popularity. These segments reedited and presented as a feature film appeared in 1953 as "Planet Outlaws." Combined a second time in 1965, the serial reached theaters as "Destination Saturn." Buck Rogers has remained popular for most of the 20th century. He represents a heroic figure of the future triumphing over evil--a character and setting that picques Americans' visions of adventure, space exploration, and conquest. Over the years, Buck Rogers's character has inspired hundreds of toys, playthings, and other consumer goods.