Monkey on a Sled

The rocket sled at Holloman, 1960. “According to one story, which strict scientists contend is apocryphal,” LIFE wrote, “a veterinarian gave a banana to a chimp before a rocket sled ride. As the animal peeled it, the ride started with a lurch and the monkey got the banana full in the face. The next time the chimp was offered a banana before a sled ride, he took, peeled it, and smeared it over the veterinarian’s face.”