Author
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Topic: Apollo 11 patch olive branch: talons or beak
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Betsy Member Posts: 74 From: Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 08-04-2008 06:10 PM
According to First Man, the crew of Apollo 11 had designed the patch to show the eagle carrying an olive branch in his beak. However, Bob Gilruth changed the design and put the olive branch in the eagle's talons so as to make the image more peaceful.Personally, I think the eagle looks a bit menacing with the olive branch in his talons, as eagles usually carry their prey that way (not to mention, that's how they catch their prey). I think the original design would have shown a gentler, more peaceful eagle. Thoughts? |
KSCartist Member Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 08-04-2008 06:41 PM
Well, the story goes that NASA was concerned that the talons open and ready to land were menacing. But I'm a big fan of reality, so I would have placed the olive branch in it's beak and had the talons in the lunar dust to hide the sharp claws. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42984 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-04-2008 07:20 PM
The original version, with the olive branch in the eagle's beak also flew to the Moon on Apollo 11 in the form of the astronauts' Robbins medals. |
Betsy Member Posts: 74 From: Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 08-04-2008 07:58 PM
quote: Originally posted by KSCartist: NASA was concerned that the talons open and ready to land were menacing.
I can see why NASA would think that, but on the other hand... an eagle is an eagle and no sense pretending that it's a seagull. I like your idea, though.Robert, I didn't know that, thanks! I really like that image... |
FFrench Member Posts: 3161 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-07-2008 02:07 PM
You might also find the images in this story interesting, as they include some Apollo 11 patch ideas with an eagle with open talons... and one where it is carrying the "XI."
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Liembo Member Posts: 583 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 02-02-2016 09:03 PM
There's a July 2015 episode of Antiques Roadshow where the son of the Apollo 11 emblem artist talks about the talon vs. olive branch version and shows a photo of the original artwork. |