Click on photo to see larger image

Alane Hine was crowned "Miss Guided Missile" by Dr. William Pickering, Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, at the JPL Spring Dance in 1955. Dan Stewer and his Society Orchestra can be seen in the background. Hine, an employee in JPL's Solid Rockets section, was chosen by a vote of employees to preside over JPL dances and the annual picnic sponsored by the Employees Recreation Club (ERC).

In 1959, the title changed to "Queen of Outer Space", reflecting JPL's transition from missiles to spacecraft, and the contest continued to be a popular annual event. Each candidate was sponsored by a manager and took part in a one week campaign, a parade around the Lab in decorated convertibles, a luncheon, and the coronation ceremony at the annual Spring Dance.

_______________