Conservation Analytical Laboratory Research, 1992, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, Mary Baker, polymer chemist at the Smithsonian's Conservation Analytical Laboratory, and conservation fellow Eric Lange inspect a Project Mercury spaceflight boot and astronaut Donald "Deke" Slayton's Mercury training suit. They use differential scanning calorimetry to study samples of new rubber, as well as samples from deaccessioned suits such as this one, to determine the extent of crystallization in order to establish proper storage and handling procedures for the suits..