The Artemis lunar mission brings back memories of Pratley Putty’s unique role in US space programme
All eyes are on the Moon again as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is currently targeting a launch window starting from 14 November for its Artemis I uncrewed Moon-orbiting mission.
Global interest in space exploration is at a fever pitch as NASA preps its first lunar mission in 50 years. It also brings back memories of Pratley Putty being the only South African manufactured product to have gone to the Moon. Prior to the Apollo 11 mission, the Ranger project of the 1960s was the first US effort to launch probes directly towards the Moon. This laid the groundwork for the successful Apollo 11 mission.
During the 1960s, South African manufacturer Pratley invented the world’s first epoxy putty. Initially it was intended to be used internally for insulating and affixing terminals to cast iron electrical junction boxes. However, the product was subsequently introduced into the local market as ‘Pratley Plastic Putty’, a name that ultimately became Pratley Putty.
An agreement to manufacture the product under licence in the United States was concluded with a US manufacturer, which introduced the product to NASA. However, the product was not yet ready for production in the United States. Subsequently when it was decided to use it on the Ranger programme, it was supplied directly from Pratley’s head office in South Africa. Consequently, Pratley Putty achieved recognition as the only South African manufactured product to ever go to the Moon.
The South African Mint celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing in 2019 with its ‘South African inventions’ series, focusing on the ‘proudly South African’ Pratley Putty. In October 2019, Pratley Putty was featured as part of a ‘Destination Moon’ exhibition at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in the historic Electric Workshop in the cultural precinct of Newtown, Johannesburg.
“Our roots are in innovation, research and development. It is a cornerstone of what we do at Pratley, and we continue to live and breathe by it,” comments CEO Andrew Pratley. “Pratley branded products not only offer exceptional reliability, but in accordance with our policy statement, their performance must exceed all others on the world market.”
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About Pratley
Established in 1948 by George ‘Monty’ Pratley, the various companies in the Pratley stable rest on a foundation of research and innovation in both the manufacturing and mining sectors. The various Pratley companies, drawing from 74 years of experience, have filed over 350 patents worldwide, and are ISO 9001 certified. Operating divisions are Pratley Adhesives, Pratley Electrical, Pratley Minerals, Pratley Craft & Decoupage, and Select Hairdressing Supplies.
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