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Author
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Topic: GE's "The Missions" moon boot-inspired sneakers
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-17-2014 03:09 AM
   
collectSPACE Moon boot-styled sneakers celebrate GE's role in first lunar landingGeneral Electric is taking a "small step" into sneaker design to commemorate the role — or rather, sole — it had in mankind's first "giant leap" on the moon. Forty-five years to the day, hour, and minute after Apollo 11 moonwalkers Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made the first manned lunar landing at 4:18 p.m. EDT (2018 GMT) on Sunday, July 20, GE will release for sale its new moon boot-inspired, limited edition sneakers, "The Missions." The company, which is perhaps publicly better known for its consumer appliances and lighting products, provided in 1969 the silicone rubber that was used to create the now-iconic tread that lined the bottom of the Apollo moon boot. GE also produced the Lexan polycarbonate plastic used in forming the astronauts' bubble helmets.  |
lspooz
Member Posts: 384
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Aug 2012
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posted 07-17-2014 07:36 AM
Now they just HAVE to have the horizontal bar tread too... |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-17-2014 07:40 AM
It is difficult to tell from the photos released thus far, but it looks as though the tread may be embedded in the translucent thermoplastic sole. USA Today further speculated that there is simulated moon dust in the sole that moves as you walk... |
kr4mula
Member Posts: 642
From: Cinci, OH
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 07-17-2014 01:58 PM
These are slightly less gaudy than those other lunar-inspired shoes someone put out a couple of years ago. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-18-2014 07:06 PM
Here is Buzz Aldrin sporting a pair of "The Missions": |
Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 808
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 07-19-2014 07:28 AM
The photographer should've focused on the shoes not the face. |
TRS
Member Posts: 721
From: Wellington, New Zealand
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 07-20-2014 03:21 PM
Frustrating - the site has crashed within seconds of the offer opening |
TRS
Member Posts: 721
From: Wellington, New Zealand
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 07-20-2014 03:24 PM
And now they're gone... |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 07-20-2014 03:27 PM
I got in there about as quickly as humanly possible after the countdown ended (including a 300mbs fiber internet connection), and they were already gone.This suggests to me that they were already pre-sold to insiders and the rest was just a marketing ploy. Disappointing at best. |
cfreeze79
Member Posts: 455
From: Herndon, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 07-20-2014 03:33 PM
Yeah - disappointing. Reminds me of the stainless steel Starbucks cards from a Christmas or two back. Advertised to the world, many wanted them — and were willing to pay the big bucks — but virtually none of the general public got them, as they had a presale to Starbucks Gold member, who purchased nearly all of them and — surprise — listed them on eBay, with a sizable markup.The beauties of capitalism (and I wouldn't have it any other way!)...  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-20-2014 06:04 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mode1charlie:
This suggests to me that they were already pre-sold to insiders...
I can attest this wasn't the case as I was able to get through to order a pair. Unfortunately, at that very moment was when the door to the plane I was on closed and I had to sign off. (I wasn't actually planning to purchase a pair, but rather monitor the sale, otherwise I would have been much more upset.) |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 07-20-2014 08:06 PM
You must have very fast fingers, Robert, because I was moving quickly and had no luck - well within the first minute! (I believe you. Just saying.) |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-20-2014 08:32 PM
I think it was just the luck of the draw.Speaking of which, JackThreads has one pair left, which they are giving away through a sweepstakes. Good luck! (A pair has surfaced on eBay for $1500 or best offer. The seller says JackThreads isn't shipping the sneakers until Oct. 27.) |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-20-2014 10:25 PM
Here's a Vine from GE featuring Buzz and The Missions: |
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