Spaceman (also known as The Giant Spaceman) is an original Macy's character that originated as a giant helium character balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The Spaceman made his Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in the 1952 Parade as a giant helium balloon. Created by the engineers of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, the ballooning behemoth is an artist's conception of a visitor from another planet. The 70-foot long Spaceman came equipped with containers for jet-propulsion compounds and a black rocket gun. Spaceman donned a black spacesuit with an illustrious silver helmet and boots as he rocketed down the parade route.
In total, over 25 gallons of paint were used to paint the rubber helium husk of the larger-than-life astronaut; his body is black, his head, lower legs and feet are aluminum-colored and the tanks and box on his back are orange and a deep yellow, respectively.
The Spaceman balloon flew over the watchful eye of spectators throughout the 1950s, joining characters such as Mighty Mouse and the Crocodile in the giant balloon roster. In 1953, Spaceman was refurbished, with the box on his back removed and the rocket gun painted red.
The Spaceman balloon faced several mishaps along the Parade route during the 1955 Parade as a result of gusting winds. The balloon first became entangled with a lamppost, deflating the red rocket gun and causing the balloon's left arm to become detached, falling in a lifeless heap to the ground below. As the balloon continued on, winds swayed the balloon into a building at 62nd Street, though no visible damage was done to the balloon. Following this appearance, the balloon was temporarily retired due to the extensive damage.
Spaceman returned to the line of march in 1957, now with a fixed arm and refurbished appearance. The following year, a helium shortage swept across the United States, resulting in the balloon not having the helium necessary to make them fly. As a compromise, cranes were used to help the balloons soar down the streets of New York City. Spaceman was one of the balloons that were flown in this fashion, kept in line by additional handlers on the ground below.
The Spaceman balloon was retired following the 1959 Parade, making seven appearances in total, and was disposed at some point following that.