Untitled (chimp riding on fake rocket) 1963

Editor: This photograph, “Untitled (chimp riding on fake rocket)” by Jack Gould, shows a chimpanzee in a little jumpsuit riding a toy rocket. It feels both humorous and a little unsettling. What historical context informs this image? Curator: Considering the socio-political context, images like this one often played on the Space Race. The chimp becomes a symbol, both celebrating and perhaps satirizing the aspirations and anxieties tied to technological progress and the public's fascination with space exploration. What do you think? Editor: That’s interesting! It makes me think about how animals were used and viewed during that time. It's a lot to take in. Curator: Exactly! And it reminds us to question how imagery shapes our understanding of science and society.