Astro Manufacturing was formed by two brothers, John (22nd May 1919 - 19th December 1992) and Steven (26th December 1924 - September 1969) Berzack in Roseville, now a suburb of Detroit MI. The company is usually remembered for a series of mechanical savings banks (money boxes) shaped as rockets and standing approximately twelve inches tall. A mechanism within fired coins into the rocket, the coins being retreived by removal of the boosters. Most (all?) rockets were designed as promotional gifts on behalf of banks, to encourage children to open savings accounts. The rockets were sold with a key and red rubber tip and feet, which are often missing today. Astro also produced slush moulded vehicles (see below), and used the name Berzac Creations.
Astro Manufacturing/Berzac Creations Rocket Savings Bank |
Astro Manufacturing Atomic Gas Truck, blue, with hard rubber wheels, length 3.5 inches |
Astro Manufacturing Atomic Gas Truck, red, with hard rubber wheels, length 3.5 inches |
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