Lionel Trains with Magne-Traction (1953)
Locomotives equipped with Magne-Traction had driving wheels that were magnetized through the insertion of Alnico magnets in the driving axles.
The SPIRIT of Games & Gamers
Created in collaboration with the folks that brought zines Sumo and Counter to life, The SPIRIT of Games & Gamers aims to keep analog gaming top-of-mind in an era of electronic play
Alphie the Electronic Robot from Playskool (1978)
“Straight out of the space age” in 1978, Alphie the Electronic Robot was a small toy robot with a great deal to offer kids aged 3-8.
Toy Tales Weekly: Pokemon, Betty White, Slip ‘N Slide, and more
A set of mint condition Pokemon cards recently sold for $107k and 7 other things we wanted to share this week.
The Friday Five: Bill Paxton
Blacked-out windows, video surveillance, and elaborate disguises; toy-industry legend Marvin Glass was an eccentric and highly-private man. Author Bill Paxton uncovers the myths and realities about Glass and his career in his new book A World Without Reality: Inside Marvin Glass’s Toy Vault.
Trapper Keeper Game from Big G Creative
With the Trapper Keeper Game, board game publisher Big G Creative pays homage to one of the most iconic school supplies from the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Voice of the Mummy from Milton Bradley (1971)
“Now from Milton Bradley, a weird game: Voice of the Mummy”
It took us nearly two years to iron the kinks out of Super Ball before we produced it.
– Richard Knerr
At the height of its popularity in the mid-1960s, Wham-O’s Super Ball sold over 170,000 units per day.
The Board Game Museum
The Board Game Museum YouTube channel reviews (mostly) vintage board and card games for players looking for something a little different to play on game nights.
Poppin Hoppies from Ideal Toy Company (1968)
Released by Ideal Toy Company in 1968, Poppin Hoppies is a heart-pounding, quick-action family game for two to four players ages five and older.
National Videogame Museum – Sheffield, United Kingdom
Located in England’s South Yorkshire region, the National Videogame Museum is a cultural centre created to inspire interest in video game design and play.
Toy Tales Weekly: Superman, Barbie Forever, Big Bird, and more
Superman now has his own Twitter account and 7 other things we wanted to share this week.
Jack Friedman: Toy Titan
Jack Friedman worked his way up in the toy industry to become one of the early adopters of licencing existing franchises to create best-selling toys.
Playskool Tape Recorder (1992)
An advertisement from 1992 for the Playskool Tape Recorder, reflecting a time when cassettes were still king.
Superhero Fragrances from Marvel
Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe can now smell like their favourite superheroes thanks to a new set of officially licensed fragrances from the media and entertainment behemoth.
All New Bricks
LEGO takes centre stage at the All New Bricks YouTube channel, which features new LEGO sets built right before viewers’ eyes in time-lapsed videos.
The Etch A Sketch Animator from Ohio Art (1986)
In the 1980s, Ohio Art released an electronic version of the Etch A Sketch that allowed kids to create electronic flip-board-style cartoons.