This photograph is a great and early example of the transformation of humans into a spacefaring species, showing an engineer testing the first spacesuit designed for the lunar surface.

Rubber bellows at the joints of arms, legs, and torso provide greatly increased mobility when the suit is pressurized. The helmet has an airlock feeding device which can be used for eating and drinking in the weightless conditions of space as well as on the Moon; The pack supplies oxygen and ventilation, controls temperature and humidity, and removes respiratory and body contaminants inside the suit. It is designed for four hour expeditions on the Moon or in space. Hamilton Standard is prime contractor in charge of the space suit life support system’s development. International Latex Corporation, subcontractor, is developing the pressure suit.

[NASA caption] This photograph shows first hardware of operating laboratory models of Project Apollo space suit and life support back pack. The Hamilton Standard Division of United Aircraft Corporation, prime contractor for the space suit program, shipped the first back pack to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas on September 23, 1963.