Red Ball Jets Incorporated manufactured athletic shoes during the latter part of the 20th century from 1951 to 1971, when the firm was purchased by Keds, a United States Rubber shoe brand. Keds promptly retired the name. Red Ball Jets are best remembered for their catchy television ads, at a time where such ads reached ever-growing numbers of viewers, especially children. A board game premium in 1964, with an appropriate space travel theme, undoubtedly made purchase of a pair of Red Ball Jets shoes even more enticing.