hot wheels : Both toys came into being thanks to JPL's Technology Affiliates program. Through the program, corporations form alliances with JPL either to license intellectual property, as is the case with Mattel, or to gain access to JPL's engineers and scientists to help solve a range of technological problems. To date, more than 120 companies, large and small, have utilized the program to solve upwards of 200 specific technology challenges. "The Mars rover Hot Wheels toy helped educate kids and parents alike about the Mars Pathfinder mission in the most user-friendly fashion imaginable," explained Joan Horvath, a business alliance manager with JPL's Technology Affiliates Program. "Along the way, it also helped alert the business community to the many facets of JPL's technology transfer programs." The Technology Affiliates program provides a streamlined way for JPL, one of 10 NASA centers around the country, to do business with the private sector. The payoff: Technologies developed for the space program prove beneficial back on Earth and -- in the case of the Mattel toys -- help educate and enthuse the public about the space program.
hot wheels : "Through this long-term partnership with JPL, we continue to demonstrate a commitment to making science and space exploration more fun and accessible to children nationwide," said Jim Wagner, Mattel's senior vice president of Hot Wheels marketing and licensing. NASA's Galileo spacecraft was launched in 1989 and entered orbit around Jupiter on December 7, 1995. During its two-year primary mission, Galileo studied Jupiter and its four largest moons. Mission scientists say images and other information gathered by Galileo's science instruments have dramatically altered our knowledge of Jupiter and its moons. The spacecraft is now in the midst of a two-year extension, known as the Galileo Europa Mission, with special emphasis on studying Jupiter's moon, Europa. The presence of liquid water on Europa would increase the odds that this icy moon may have the conditions necessary to harbor life. The antenna dish depicted in the Hot Wheels Jupiter/Europa Encounter Action Pack is part of the Deep Space Network, a worldwide network of ground stations used to communicate with spacecraft and conduct radar and radio astronomy studies. With three sites located in Spain, Australia and California's Mojave Desert, the Deep Space Network can maintain 24-hour contact with spacecraft as the Earth rotates.
hot wheels : Hot Wheels Convention Celebrates 30 Years ofCool With Collectors From Across The CountryTo commemorate its 30th Anniversary, Hot Wheels is sponsoring for the firsttime the 12th Annual Hot Wheels Collector's Convention, which is being heldat the Anaheim Hilton in Anaheim, Calif., from October 15-18.For the past 11 years, thousands of serious Hot Wheels collectors from coastto coast have gathered to buy, sell and trade their Hot Wheels cars at HotWheels Conventions all across the country.This year, Hot Wheels plans to roll out the "orange track" for this event asattendees from all over the country will get to experience many new andexciting activities. Some of the festivities include a Limited Edition salewith vehicles made exclusively for this Convention, as well as aspecial-merchandise Hot Wheels Convention Store, featuring Hot Wheelscollectible sets and licensed product. Hot Wheels designers like Larry Woodand Gary Swisher will be on hand to answer questions from collectors andenthusiasts.On Sunday, Oct. 18 only, the Convention will be open to the public for thefirst time in its 12-year history. Fans 13 years and older can purchasetickets for $5. Children 12 and under will get in free when accompanied by apaid adult.
hot wheels : The biggest attraction for Hot Wheels collectors, however, is the opportunityto display their inventory at the Convention. From original "red line"vehicles to the latest Hot Wheels Treasure Hunt cars, buying, selling andtrading Hot Wheels is what draws the crowd and excitement.Jon Bertolino of Elgin, Ill., an avid Hot Wheels collector who has attendedthe convention for the past six years, said this year's Convention is goingto be great for beginning and advanced collectors."California's a great place to search out hard-to-find vehicles because it'sthe home of the hot rod and the birthplace of Hot Wheels," said Bertolino."I'm excited that Mattel is sponsoring and promoting the Convention so peoplewho normally wouldn't have access to it can be made aware of how popular andprofitable collecting Hot Wheels cars can be."Bertolino added that collecting Hot Wheels cars can be a profitable way tobring back those great memories of racing the hot rods around the orangetrack as a child. "I was generating so much revenue from buying, trading andselling Hot Wheels, I had to create an actual company for collecting --Toizrit Inc. -- beyond my day job," said Bertolino.
hot wheels : Other collectors have found Hot Wheels can be a profitable investment.According to "Tomart's Price Guide To Hot Wheels," several of the original 16cars are considered to be extremely rare, and have been valued by collectorsin excess of $1,000 each. One of the most valuable Hot Wheels vehicles is the'69 Volkswagen Beach Bomb with surfboards sticking out the rear window andwithout slots on the side. In fact, this "special" Beach Bomb sold at aChristie's auction for $1,250. With its original purchase price of 69 cents,this is a return on investment of more than 1,810 percent."The same Beach Bomb vehicle has resold among collectors for between $4,000and $10,000," said Bertolino. "And at a 1997 charity auction, a one-of-a-kindHot Wheels vehicle was purchased for $10,000!"For frequent updates on Convention information including which Hot Wheelsdesigners will be available to sign autographs at the 12th Annual Hot WheelsConvention, contact the Convention at 800/293-7890. Ticket information isavailable on the convention Web site, .Hot Wheels cars thundered into the toy world in 1968. Thirty years later, HotWheels is a $300 million global brand and a leader in the design, manufactureand marketing of vehicles, playsets and tracks. In addition to leading the waywith power, performance and attitude, Hot Wheels cars are also CoolCollectibles(tm) for adults. For the latest news on Hot Wheels cars, make abrake on the information superhighway and cruise over to .
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