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The sign accompanying the Project Mercury suit. It reads

MERCURY SPACESUIT

The Mercury spacesuit was originally invented for Navy pilots to wear on high altitude flights. The Mercury mission did not include spacewalks, so the suit's main function was to provide oxygen if the cabin lost pressure. The shiny silver suit reflected heat and radiation. The suits also made the astronauts look like spacemen from television and movies.

The astronauts chosen for America's first manned space program were referred to as the Mercury Seven. They are (front row, left to right) Walter Schirra Jr.,, Donald Slayton, John Glenn Jr., Scott Carpenter, (back row) Alan Shepard Jr., Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Gordon Cooper, Jr.