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Author
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Topic: Help on ID of Skylab or shuttle toilet seat
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blueangels1
Member Posts: 33
From: Houston, Texas
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted May 20, 2012 06:01 PM
   
I would like to ask the cS experts to take a look at these photos please. Back in the early 70's my uncle who worked as part of the space program at North American Rockwell in Downey, CA gave my cousin this toilet seat. After the passing of my uncle and cousin my aunt came across this as well as other Apollo era items. I was hoping someone might have some information I can pass along to her. Looks to me to be a "prototype." The information molded into it reads: R36-60130 and below that is X142. I appreciate all your information and help and it is always a pleasure to read and be apart of collectSPACE.  
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mikeshortstop
New Member Posts: 4
From: Oxford, FL, US
Registered: May 2012
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posted June 21, 2012 07:17 AM
I have a toilet seat given to me from ny Uncle who worked at North American Aviation. It was to have been a prototype for the later Apollo Missions. Though it has a serial 3 with "R" on it, it could have been used for training, no. is R36-601310X142 It measures 7" across, 6" deep and has a 4" diameter opening, I've been told it could have been used during zero-g training. If anyone has seen or heard of this please respond. Editor's note: blueangels1 and mikeshortstop are family members and are describing the same piece. Threads merged. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1213
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted June 21, 2012 07:18 AM
Mike - welcome to this forum. You will find a wealth of information here.Remember in microgravity (so called zero g) there is no need for traditional methods of eliminating waste. In fact such methods do not work as nothing "falls" down, or through, any opening. Your piece may have been used in a ground based simulator, or perhaps it's a gag gift. Good luck finding it's history. |
mikeshortstop
New Member Posts: 4
From: Oxford, FL, US
Registered: May 2012
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posted June 21, 2012 07:18 AM
Thanks, trust me, it was not a gag gift as my Aunt and Uncle were dedicated to the space program. Everything I was given from Apollo heat shield pieces to space flown hardware and patches, pictures, medals, is all real. The story was the bag was to be taped to the seat and to the rear of the astronaut for a better seal on the skin for easier collection. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 2762
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted June 21, 2012 07:35 AM
I'd focus my research on the Apollo Applications Program. Good luck |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 2150
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted June 21, 2012 07:37 AM
Mike, I think you may be correct in presuming this is a prototype toilet. The holes in the side may have been for some kind of airflow system to "aid use".The seat does not look like that in this Skylab toilet photo. I suspect it was a development seat that evolved from Skylab with a view to use in the shuttle... also built by Rockwell.  The "gag" option suggested by Gary is not without foundation but I doubt a gag seat would include model/serial numbers. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 24711
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted June 21, 2012 07:59 AM
According to a press release issued earlier this year, Beneke Magnolia, Inc. "was the exclusive supplier of toilet seats to NASA's Space Shuttle Program." You might want to contact them, as they may be familiar with the history of their seat's development. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 2762
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted June 21, 2012 08:11 AM
Why send this guy on a wild goose chase? The part bears a CSM affiliated drawing number. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 24711
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted June 21, 2012 08:20 AM
Because sometimes, when it comes down to producing very specific parts such as this, the manufacturer has someone working for them that not only knows the history of the part they are producing, but the history of the type of part in great detail. I've been in touch over the years with several shuttle contractor workers who were very well versed on the heritage of what they were building extending as far back as Mercury. But it was only a suggestion... |
Sy Liebergot
Member Posts: 447
From: Pearland, Texas USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted June 21, 2012 09:30 AM
Rick, Thanks for posting the pic of the Skylab WC. Though I've been looking for a Workshop pic, this should suffice for my Skylab lecture which is "in work."--Sy |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 276
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted June 21, 2012 01:57 PM
Wasn't there suppose to be a toilet in the original plans for the Apollo CM? |
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