Chesley Bonestell

Born in 1888, Chesley Bonestell was an American illustrator that can safely be described as the grandfather of modern science-fiction artwork and design. His visualisations thoroughly influenced early science-fiction film (such as George Pal), and inspired a generation of engineers that would go on to develop the Apollo Lunar Exploration Program. Many of his designs were visualisations of the vehicles envisaged by Werner Von Braun and his team of ex-Nazi aerospace engineers, so these vehicles are actualy the unrealized ambitions of the Third Reich. Amazing.

Comments

[P.O.Holland]

I recall seeing many of these in a book my father had about Von Braun's vision for space exploration. I recall how exciting and focuses that vision was, as revealed through this art, and could easily believe I would see it realized soon enough. As a result, the actual Space Shuttle was a bit disappointing as a design — though I was enthused enough by the mere prospect of it not dwell on that.

This aside, seeing these again lead me to ponder how.... unambitious space programs seem to have become of late.

It is nice to see these images again (been looking for them, now and again, with little success), and finally know whom to attribute them to... and to feel just a little,/i> bit of that old excitement again for the prospect of space travel.

[Mark Hodgson]

Amazing pictures. Many of Chesley's I hadn't seen before. Filmfax did a series of articles on him, but all their reprints were small and in b/w. I suspect a few toymakers cashing in on the Space Race used him for inspiration, too.

[David]

What stunning imagery, such a vision. I wonder what dates the Saturn type images were, surely he didn't see pics from interplanetary probes when creating them?
I love the tube, that is visionary. And the exploded view of the rocket reminds me of centempory Star Wars exploded views. And the lighting is so dramtic, yet authentic feeling. Makes my heart ache for that future.