Toy Tales Weekly: World’s Largest Ouija board, Jim Henson, IKEA, and more
The world’s largest Ouija board has been unveiled in Salem, Massachusetts and 7 other things we wanted to share this week.
The Friday Five: Katie Edwards
A new exhibit called Toy Boom! at the North Carolina Museum of History showcases toys of the 1950s and ’60s. Here, curator Katie Edwards talks about the role of the museum in preserving the cultural heritage of North Carolina and how toys fit into that mandate.
Pretzel-Jetzel from Transogram (1965)
Make Zenzational pretzels with the Pretzel-Jetzel, the “jet-age” pretzel baker!
Scooby-Doo Playmate Elite Limited Edition Mystery Machine Cooler from Igloo
The Scooby-Doo Playmate Elite Limited Edition Mystery Machine cooler has a 16-quart capacity which allows it to conveniently store 30 12-ounce cans as well as your Scooby snacks.
Transformers Official
The Transformers Official YouTube channel features commercials, interviews with franchise creators and contributors, animated shorts, and other entertaining videos that bring context to the cast of robotic characters.
Kryptonite Rocks from Fan Club Corporation of America (1977)
In 1978, Fan Club Corporation of America (FCCA) began selling glow-in-the-dark Kryptonite Rocks. The idea was to cash in on the waning Pet Rock fad as well as tie into the forthcoming release of Superman: The Movie.
Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum – Boulder City, Nevada
Located in Boulder City, Nevada, between Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam, Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum is dedicated to preserving the history and craft of horror movie props, prosthetics, and other special makeup effects.
Toy Tales Weekly: LEGO Replay, Le Creuset, Judge Barbie, and more
You can now give your LEGO bricks a new home via the LEGO Replay program and 7 other things we wanted to share this week.
The Friday Five: G. Wayne Miller
Writer G. Wayne Miller captured the dynamics of the toy industry and its relationship with Hollywood in his 1998 bestselling book Toy Wars. In his new book, Kid Number One: Alan Hassenfeld and Hasbro, Miller revisits Hasbro to uncover the unlikely rise of the Hassenfeld Brothers – the eponymous founders of Hasbro – and shines the light on one of the company’s most fabled leaders.
The Mad Magazine Game from Parker Brothers (1979)
“These people are doing some real goofy things…”
Rubik’s Connected Platform
Rubik’s continues to evolve its iconic 3D cube puzzle with the launch of Rubik’s Connected Platform perfect for the data analyst in your life.
They were using the dolls to project their dreams of their own futures as adult women.
– Ruth Handler
The Jem fashion doll released by Hasbro outsold Mattel’s Barbie in 1986.
The Classic Tinkertoy Construction Set Building Manual
This book offers a number of colorful projects that use the toy’s basic building blocks: rods and spools.
Finger of Fate from Colorforms (1971)
Released by Colorforms in 1971, the Finger of Fate was a fortune-telling “crystal ball,” a mashup of Magic 8-Ball and a Ouija board.
The Flexible Flyer Sled Museum – Moorestown, New Jersey
The Flexible Flyer’s New Jersey roots are honoured by the Moorestown Public Library’s permanent exhibit dedicated to the iconic steerable sled.
Toy Tales Weekly: Wendy’s RPG, UNO, Doctor Who, and more
Fast Food chain Wendy’s has dropped a tabletop RPG and 7 other things we wanted to share this week.
Collector Spotlight: Jonathan Perry Waters
Jonathan Perry Waters collects metal toy soldiers. He talks about the origins of his hobby and the role his sons played in helping him earn a Guinness World Record.