The collective book that tells the lives of emigrants and reveals the hidden story behind how NASA’s logo was presented.
Maria and Concetta Sarlo of Colobraro, Italy have compiled a book highlighting stories of local families who have made a significant impact on the world.
Who would have ever guessed that behind NASA’s iconic logo — the agency that launched America toward the moon — lay the ingenuity of a man with an unexpected connection to Italy? From “meatball,” the affectionate nickname given to it by the agency’s employees, to a global pop icon, the NASA logo still embodies the essence of the American dream, rekindling the excitement of the moon landing on July 20, 1969. The grandfather of James Modarelli, the logo’s creator, hails from Colobraro.
The discovery, curated by Anthony Mastadonna and Maria Sarlo is shared in the book “Colobraro. Diario di Comunità” (published by Edigrafema) which collects the stories of those who left the small Lucanian village to reshape their destinies in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, and Canada.
The initiative, promoted by Councilwoman Concettina Sarlo, is part of the national “Comune delle Radici” program promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within the framework of the PNRR Project “Il Turismo delle Radici – Una Strategia Integrata per la Ripresa del Settore del Turismo nell’Italia post Covid-19” (“Roots Tourism – An Integrated Strategy for Reviving the Tourism Sector in Post-Covid Italy”).
In a particularly crowded conference hall, with several contributing authors present — some connected remotely from Argentina, Canada, the United States, and Brazil — speakers included Marcello Pittella, President of the Regional Council and of Lucani nel Mondo (Lucanians in the World); Nicola Lista, the mayor; Antonella Santarcangelo, publisher of Edigrafema; Elvira De Giacomo, representative of the Italea project; and Carmine Cassino, historian from the University of Basilicata.
During the evening, the unexpected ties of two figures who distinguished themselves abroad were revealed — among them, the graphic designer of NASA’s logo.
The story of Jim Modarelli is a fascinating chapter of the American dream — a dream that for many, like his grandfather Domenico Modarelli and other emigrants from Colobraro, meant leaving their homeland for the unknown.
It serves as a reminder of how creativity can emerge from unexpected places — and an inspiration to keep pushing the boundaries of exploration while carrying the strength of one’s origins.
