The Case:
A Florida art curator purchased a mysterious work of art at an online auction: a tiny ceramic chip with six images.
The seller told him the tiny images were the works of several prominent artists, including Andy Warhol and Claes Oldenburg. He went on to say that they made this chip as a miniature art museum to attach to the Apollo 12 lunar module launched in November 1969.
Did NASA actually deliver the artwork of Andy Warhol to the moon?
History Detectives tracks down three eyewitnesses to this historic moment. Gwen Wright talks to the artist behind the miniature museum to learn the incredible story behind this idea and how they shrank the artwork to a minute chip. She meets with an Apollo 12 astronaut; and finally, she talks to the launch pad foreman for Apollo 12 to find out whether Andy Warhol’s art went to the moon, and whether it might still be there.
Season 8, Episode 1
Season 9, Episode 9
Detective:
Gwen Wright
Location:Houston, Texas and New York
Related Content
Video:
Video:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Season 8
Lost City of Gold
What can these carved letters reveal about the first explorers to visit the American Southwest?
-
Also in Season 9
Ince Ledger
What does this accounts ledger for a movie company have to do with the changing world of the Lakota Sioux?
-
Related Investigation
Witch's House
Could this house have once belonged to a woman executed during the Salem Witch trials?
-
Related Investigation
Internment Artwork
What is the story behind these watercolor paintings of a prison camp?
-
Also in Season 8
Jackie Robinson Scorecard
What does this scorecard reveal about the desegregation of our national pastime?
-
Also with Gwen Wright
China Marine Jacket
Can the symbols on this jacket identify a marine who may have witnessed paradise tumbling into disaster?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.