Country of Origin: USSR 3-D: 2.5 x 1.3 x 2.5cm (1 x 1/2 x 1 in.)
Pins or znachki have a long and established Russian tradition.
During the 19th century, workers received these pins as a reward
for work done. It was during the Soviet period that the emphasis
on the use of znachki shifted from rewarding work done to acting
as souvenirs of national celebrations. By the late 1960s,
schoolchildren began to collect and exchange the pins with
foreigners. Today, space-themed znachki are popular among
collectors worldwide. People of all ages wear the pins to
celebrate and acknowledge anniversaries, programs and
individuals of the space program. This pin is one of a set of
nine pins that honors the heritage of science, astronomy and
space exploration by identifying nine leading scientists in the
field throughout history. This pin features Albert Einstein.
Found in collection. Donor unknown at this time. Found on NASM
premises.