Beth Toren, WVU Libraries’ science fiction bibliographer, poses with a Russian space suit on display Tuesday, Nov. 4, at the Evansdale Library. A picture of a U.S. astronaut is taped to the inside of the helmet.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — WVU’s Evansdale Library now has a special display to accompany a special collection.
An authentic Soviet Sokol space suit was displayed at the library alongside the collected works of science-fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein.
Beth Jane Toren, media, religious studies and research services librarian for WVU, said the suit is on loan as a bonus after the university purchased a leather-bound edition of Heinlein’s complete works, which is available for anyone who wants to study it.
“Robert Heinlein was writing about space travel before we landed on the moon, when a lot of people thought it couldn’t be done…