Historical Reflections

Cook County News-Herald archives

On January 31, 1961, Ham the chimpanzee became the first primate to be launched into space aboard a Mercury Redstone rocket as part of America’s space program. Later that year Dairy Queen celebrated the milestone with the release of the 22-inch-tall Mr. Astro-Chimp doll, which was sold for $2.99 at local Dairy Queens, including the store in Grand Marais. Then, as now, Mr. Astro-Chimp tells customers, “Banana Splits are out of this world!”