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time employed in trips into space, although its development was
one step in a multiple-step design and development process that
ultimately led to production of the Mercury helmet, a space
helmet that was used in trips into space. Although certain Mark
IV helmets were used in training Mercury astronauts, the serial
number on the Mark IV helmet at issue indicates that it was not
made at a time when Mercury astronauts were in training and that
it was not used for that purpose.
A Mark IV helmet is not an unusual or scarce helmet. To the
contrary, it is, and at all relevant times has been, the most
common and most available high-altitude, full-pressure flight
helmet.
Throughout the years 1977 to 1991, petitioner kept the Mark
IV helmet at issue in its case and stored it in a closet in his
residence. During that period, petitioner did not insure that
helmet against loss, nor did he insure his residence against
fire, theft, or other catastrophe.
Around 1990 or 1991, petitioner placed an advertisement in a
newspaper offering the Mark IV helmet at issue for sale. That
advertisement stated that petitioner was "taking bids" for a
"SPACE TEST FLIGHT HELMET--USED IN MERCURY PROGRAM WITH CASE".
In response to his advertisement, petitioner received telephone
calls from Keith R. Jamieson, M.D. (Dr. Jamieson) and Dennis
Gilliam (Mr. Gilliam), both of whom expressed an interest in the
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