Very early pre-Apollo left-handed pressure glove made by the International Latex Corporation. The glove consists of leather and a coating of a neoprene/natural rubber mixture, with thermal protection wrist cover bearing a manufacturer's label: "Item Suit Gloves, Ident No. AXG-IL-017, Model No. SPD-656-4A, Size E, Serial 015, Date 7-31-63, Contract No. NAS 9-1964." Glove stands approximately 8″ tall, and includes a 9″ diameter wooden base and a 12″ tall glass display dome. In fragile, very good condition, with consistent wear and scattered holes to fabric, as well as toning and scuffing. From the personal collection of Charlie Dry, a former Apollo test astronaut and research engineer and senior scientific analyst at NASA. After initially working on high-altitude pressure helmets and suits for the US Navy and Air Force, the International Latex Corporation (ILC) began to focus on producing suits for the upcoming Apollo program, with one of the first developments being the creation of pressure gloves designed for EVA activity. ILC’s dedication to the project, not to mention their output of 10 prototype suits in 1963, earned them the prime contract for the Apollo Lunar Space Suit two years later. ILC would go on to outfit every astronaut in the Apollo program, including all twelve moonwalkers. An exceedingly early design representing the evolution of the A7L Apollo & Skylab spacesuit.
