A Trip Up a Hill

Milton L. Humason was a muleskinner, taking equipment by pack animal, up to Mt. Wilson Observatory (Los Angeles). In 1917, he became a janitor there and soon volunteered as a night assistant. Within two years, the director at Mt. Wilson made Humason a staff member even though the former laborer had not earned even a high school diploma. He and Edwin Hubble worked together and much of the credit given to the famous astronomer is really due Humason.

This entry shows a Muleskinner class transport engaged in a variety of missions. In one image, we see it after the successful deployment of the final part of a Mars Navigation Satellite. In another, the task was to capture an asteroid; its four smaller, manned craft preceding in triumphant display. Finally, part of the first space telescope to be set in orbit around Mars, the Humason, is being delivered.

Milton’s opportunity and spirit became his pass to a 38-year career in science — and then into history. LEGO Ideas can take him to the stars.