How To Have Fun And Learn

Cover, 1954 booklet by Armand N. Spitz

The author's name was not familiar to me, but I have learned that it's well-known in the planetarium world.

A non-scientist (who also didn't finish college), Mr. Spitz became an innovator in planetarium design during the 1940s. There's a bio here, and a long article here. And full-scale planetariums are still produced by Spitz, Inc.

From the '54 booklet, printed in Rosemont, Penna.—

FOREWARD
(To the adult or parent)

By the designers and producers of this Planetarium

There are many books written for children which can be and have been read and enjoyed by adults; seldom has the reverse been true. It was with this thought in mind that the author set about writing this book. The subject is not intended for any single person or group of persons. Its language is universal, but we feel that is it especially directed to our children, so that they can learn and appreciate all the wonders of the universe which so many of us have neglected and forgotten in the daily hustle and bustle of life.

...

Armand Spitz long dreamed of a small planetarium which could be placed in every home for the education and enjoyment of both adult and child, but with the problems of developing the large units he could not find the time, nor were his scientific contacts the type which could lead to national distribution through the major toy houses, chain and department stores. It was here that Harmonic Reed Corporation moved into the picture and began working out details of design and production. After many, many months of painstaking development and engineering a unit was designed which would lend itself to low-priced production. The result of this research is the "Spitz Junior Planetarium" which we hope will provide you, your friends and family many hours of real enjoyment.

HARMONIC REED CORPORATION
Manufacturers of Harmotone Musical Toys

As Spitz lived and worked in the Philadelphia area, his ideas must have come to the attention of this particular company. There is something touching in the enthusiasm and educational aims for this product—after all, this was before the 1957 Sputnik launch, and American concern over competing in a space race.

The booklet is a basic introduction to the stars and how to view and identify them. It encouraged kids to practice using the Spitz Junior so they could invite their friends over to see the show.

First step was to remember:

The user needed to read a few pages about the nature of stars. Next, orient himself to the planetarium ["When you sit in front of your planetarium...you are facing North, your back is to the South, the East is on your right...]

Then set the planetarium's axis for the user's latitude:


The booklet goes over stars seen north and south, during each season of the year.

Near the end:

One of the interesting things about your planetarium is that it can be used as a space machine, carrying you in an instant to other parts of the world, where you can see the stars in a different way.

Followed by directions for adjusting the planetarium's axis to change latitudes and travel the globe.

Further suggestions:

DON'T TRY TO SHOW TOO MUCH AT ONE TIME

VISIT PLANETARIUMS WHENEVER YOU CAN

Final suggestion:

...so go outdoors whenever you can, and see how easy it is to find the stars in the real sky after having learned them with the help of your own planetarium. Each night you'll learn some more things, until you'll feel at home whenever you look at the sky, from any part of the world. That's when you'll really understand how wonderful it is to recognize these stars which are so universal and ever-lasting.

Followed by a word from the sponsor:

Ah, the golden age of American small manufacturing.

Was it also the heyday of enthusiasm over pure science?

Why do I have the feeling that today, some similar (if higher-tech) toy would be marketed as: "your child needs this, to get into an elite school and make big money..."