Half my relatives worked for Marx Toys so I grew up with those toys. I don't recall the name of the toy but I had a robot from Marx that shot suction cup darts from his arm. I also remember my first Propeller, it was an actual beanie cap that launched a plastic propeller straight up .
Erco,
Just went to http://www.marxmuseum.com/thebigtoys.html and saw Big Loo. I believe that is what I had. What made it scarier was I believe mine was a "factory second". It was a little off color so it was to be scraped but it was rescued and brought home so I could terrorize my little brother with it I wish I still had it since it probably would get alot on ebay. My parent's still have my Marx Labyrinth game. It is pretty beat up but still workable.
As I remember, canon ball launching arm, range finder sight,
electric eyes, voice speech, rocket launch, two dart launcher
in chest, compass, morse code sounder, squirt canon, working
hand gripper, alert whistle, wheel push mobility, degrees of freedom
included rotating head, shoulder, hand and torso. This was the
ultimate robot and defender of your room stuff!
I dimly remember it. Had to look it up on Wikipedia, where they say it cost $9.95 in 1963. I think my mother had all of $10 for the seven of us kids that year for Christmas!
Once again, not really vintage. But i used to LOVE Legos. My collection started with a few bricks and soon ballooned into a whole tub(Several feet long by a couple of feet wide and maybe a foot or more tall) FILLED with Legos. At around 18 or so i passed off the collection to my little brother, who has added even more to it. The Star Wars Legos were the best:).... Also, i don't know if you all remember the biggest fad in the Mid 90's, the Tamagotchi. Oh, man. If you didn't have one of those, you were not cool. Or so said the other second graders:) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagotchi
Thinking back now, the device was really simple. It was just a little monochrome display with very limited graphics capability. You could probably make one with a Propeller.
Legos, plain vanilla, the other (er, stuff) "options" did not exist back then.
Thingmaker!!!!! What else could simultaneously gross out the sisters and clear the house when you overcooked something.....
Erector set of course, I actually have a newer one sold by Costco a couple of years ago.
But the best, never to be seen again at home, let alone in a school even at community college level was the Gilbert chemistry set. That thing had everything that could possibly be banned by now. (would have been about 1964 or so) Parents thought I was ready for it.....
So many things, no time for a second childhood. Given the prices of some stuff on eBay, could not afford to relive it w/o hitting the lottery anyway.....Guess I will have to stick with the prop...
@Ravenkallen, Really dating ourselves there aren't we......
the Mid 90's, the Tamagotchi. Oh, man. If you didn't have one of those, you were not cool. Or so said the other second graders
Careful, geezerhood just kinda sneaks up on a guy.........
Goodness... So many toys, so little space! Three really come to mind as favorites though. All offerings from the Gilbert company...
One of the first was my erector set. Started a lifelong hobby of tinkering. http://bit.ly/uQxRyw
Next was the 80x reflector telescope. Another hobby that has followed me through the years. http://bit.ly/sfKl3M
Last, but certainly not least was my chemistry set. This one just got totally out of hand and there was more than one odd explosion in the neighborhood. The chemistry hobby hasn't stuck with me although I do find myself lingering, looking at the lab glassware at the nearby Frys. ;-) http://bit.ly/rSloWm
The chemistry set was fun and I was quite surprised that the corner drug store was willing to sell me additional sulfur and additional potassium nitrate without adult supervision.
Eventually, we found better safety in mounting the front and back ends of a steel roller skate to a 2X4 and using it as an early skateboard. Though those steel wheels didn't hold well into the corners. (Theme from M*A*S*H in the background).
For me, vintage is around 1986. I was 9, i think, and Christmas was about a month away. I had a habit of trying to find out what gifts my parents bought for me so I would try and peek as my mom was wrapping gifts. I was horrified when I saw her write on the to/from card "From Santa". Right then I ran to my room and cried, I just found out that Santa wasn't real. About 20 minutes later, I heard this beeping sound, a motor, and something rolling across the floor getting closer to my bedroom door. This R2D2 like robot had, on a tray, some milk and cookies and was coming at me upon its own power. It stopped in front of my bed and asked "Would you like some Milk and Cookies?"
My eyes lit up and I was completely stunned. Mom came walking in and asked if I liked him, and of course I said yes forgetting completely about Santa. I asked what his name was and she said" OMNIBOT.
OMNIBOT is the vintage toy that sparked my interest in robotics, electronics, and programming. Every Christmas I still wish I had it.
I had one of those Gilbert telescopes, too! Seeing the moons of Jupiter with it, and the rings around Saturn was quite a thrill. Trying to ease them into view with that rickety ball-joint mount and to keep them there long enough for others to share in my excitement was quite a challenge.
-Phil
Huh. The post I was commenting on got deleted, apparently. Here's the link that was posted with it:
Somebody mentioned the SPINWELDER! I loved that thing, and it was actually useful. That one should be re-created with some of the cool plastics possible today. Back then, I actually fixed some plastic enclosures with the toy. Weld it back together, sand, primer, paint. Excellent! Now I kind of want to make one... Good call. That's in the top 5 for sure.
Being born in the late 60's, I remember:
The Atari VCS. Still have one, love it. Get a copy of KABOOM! and when you are hooked on it for life, thank me later. That game gets you to "the zone" or "trance" state quickly. It's like a zen moment, clearing the mind, all washes away and there are just bombs and buckets. This toy is iconic, and it's severe hardware limits influenced gaming, due to every title needing to run at frame for frame speed. Crisp, simple, abstract gaming.
*Any* older tube AM radio. Loved 'em as a kid, had lots of them, sold them, regret it big. To me, these were great toys, particularly when they would tune some band other than medium wave commercial, known as "AM" in the US. Hearing the BBC, Radio Moscow, and so many other global broadcasts then was incredible. Honestly, I still play with AM radios today too. Love 'em. The very first technology that appear as "magic" to me, and it connected people too. Can't beat that!
Erector Set, lego (which I still play with and have a small, fun set for my desk at work), lincoln logs. (no fun now, but I liked 'em then)
Casio Keyboards 'n Game Watches Casio made a bunch of great, cheap, "bendable" stuff. Had the calculator watch for many years. It's ugly now, but damn cool back then.
That thing was insane fun, and it needs an update too. We should be able to stuff a better image onto a good cassette... Anyway, loved that one. It's in the top 5 for sure. Rare and collectable now, or I would get one.
"Star Trek" Walkie Talkie base station. Can't seem to find a picture
Speak and Spell http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1979toys.html (scroll down) "Bending" this thing happened way before it was trendy. A good friend and I wired all manner of pots and caps to what we called "Franken Spell", and it was awesome.
Apple ][ computers. Scored one of those just before Jobs died. Glad I did. Spent way too much time playing "Ultima" as of late. Mine is going to get a Propeller card in it at some point. Just because.
Polaroid cameras (these are still a fine idea, and I'm happy to see efforts to keep them going)
Big Wheel trikes. Oh man, wore out tire after tire. The best!
"Radio Flyer" wagons. I never understood "Radio", but that intrigue bonded me to the simple wagon instantly. Today I still wonder, but I don't want to know either. (no spoilers please, let's leave the magic in the box --thanks)
Cassette Recorders. Great fun!
A great chemistry set given to me by my Grandfather. Yes, that one included gunpowder as one of the projects. I ended up not being good with chemicals, but I loved that set, the great books, and the fun results.
Radio Shack 200 in one electronics kits. The spring wire connects were genius. Built lots of stuff, and I can admit now, I kept it for LONG after I should have, just because I could use it for circuit bending / tweaks / and just for fun.
Rubic's Cube They hit my school by storm! Got to a point where I could solve in under 2 minutes. Great toy, and I have one of those on my desk too, and no I can't even come close to that solve time anymore. But, I still like it.
Well, all I can tell you is my peers who have denied Santa don't get the special "Santa" present any more. You know, the really cool, unwrapped one, with just the bow on it? The one you know is YOURS without even thinking. Yeah, Santa is a great guy.
He's been solid for me. I still get "Santa" presents. And I still know they are mine, and I still love them, and often they are goofy little toys.
I had a chemistry set with all those dangerous ingrediaents, plus many I bought from the chemistry shop in Sydney center. A book I had desicribed how to make hydrogen, and I followed it to the letter (in my bedroom one evening). It said... put the metal in a glass bottle, add hydrochloric acid, cover the top for a short time, then uncover and light a match over the bottle and you should see a tiny explosion. I had the black soot marks on my ceiling for ages! How dangerous was that!!! Its a wonder the bottle didnt explode. Amazing I didnt get hurt! The chemistry set became an outside toy after that.
Comments
My friend had one in his basement. Big scary-looking robot, hard to believe kids wanted him!
Just went to http://www.marxmuseum.com/thebigtoys.html and saw Big Loo. I believe that is what I had. What made it scarier was I believe mine was a "factory second". It was a little off color so it was to be scraped but it was rescued and brought home so I could terrorize my little brother with it
Big enough to launch any kid into a robotics career!
http://www.hakes.com/item.asp?Auction=184&ItemNo=29242
As I remember, canon ball launching arm, range finder sight,
electric eyes, voice speech, rocket launch, two dart launcher
in chest, compass, morse code sounder, squirt canon, working
hand gripper, alert whistle, wheel push mobility, degrees of freedom
included rotating head, shoulder, hand and torso. This was the
ultimate robot and defender of your room stuff!
That would be Loo, as in toilet.
I dimly remember it. Had to look it up on Wikipedia, where they say it cost $9.95 in 1963. I think my mother had all of $10 for the seven of us kids that year for Christmas!
-- Gordon
Apparently not. Only $976 on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rare-Marx-Big-Loo-Robot-Very-Good-Condition-/320754168007
Then again, there were no bids. Apparently Erco didn't find this auction in time.
-- Gordon
I'm 50-ish, and I have yet to repay my parents 100x what it cost to raise me.
Maybe they shoulda bought a few Big Loos instead.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagotchi
Thinking back now, the device was really simple. It was just a little monochrome display with very limited graphics capability. You could probably make one with a Propeller.
Thingmaker!!!!! What else could simultaneously gross out the sisters and clear the house when you overcooked something.....
Erector set of course, I actually have a newer one sold by Costco a couple of years ago.
But the best, never to be seen again at home, let alone in a school even at community college level was the Gilbert chemistry set. That thing had everything that could possibly be banned by now. (would have been about 1964 or so) Parents thought I was ready for it.....
So many things, no time for a second childhood. Given the prices of some stuff on eBay, could not afford to relive it w/o hitting the lottery anyway.....Guess I will have to stick with the prop...
@Ravenkallen, Really dating ourselves there aren't we......
the Mid 90's, the Tamagotchi. Oh, man. If you didn't have one of those, you were not cool. Or so said the other second graders
Careful, geezerhood just kinda sneaks up on a guy.........
Frank
http://train-station.com/Pages/archives/Library/PW-861.html
It was my older brother's but it was a BIG hit one Christmas way back when. We flew it around the living room all day.
Dang, how could I forget Johnny Astro... probably because I wanted one but never got one. THE holy grail of 1960 toys...
http://www.johnnyastro.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmLMrMdIy5c
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Odd-Ogg-rare-vintage-1962-Ideal-Toy-Complete-Box-Works-Great-/170717832253?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27bf93643d
A classic toy. Must... resist... bidding...
.... Now it's the wife's favorite vintage toy... She took over the machine during testing..
OBC
One of the first was my erector set. Started a lifelong hobby of tinkering.
http://bit.ly/uQxRyw
Next was the 80x reflector telescope. Another hobby that has followed me through the years.
http://bit.ly/sfKl3M
Last, but certainly not least was my chemistry set. This one just got totally out of hand and there was more than one odd explosion in the neighborhood. The chemistry hobby hasn't stuck with me although I do find myself lingering, looking at the lab glassware at the nearby Frys. ;-)
http://bit.ly/rSloWm
Amanda
From our friends at Wikipedia...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_commonly_available_chemicals
Amanda
It was fast, it was fun. And with a low center of gravity it could really corner - but autos could never see you coming.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waveman216/174755901/#/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexible_flyer
The chemistry set was fun and I was quite surprised that the corner drug store was willing to sell me additional sulfur and additional potassium nitrate without adult supervision.
Eventually, we found better safety in mounting the front and back ends of a steel roller skate to a 2X4 and using it as an early skateboard. Though those steel wheels didn't hold well into the corners. (Theme from M*A*S*H in the background).
http://www.flexy-racer.com/ <==== Here's a better explaination
My eyes lit up and I was completely stunned. Mom came walking in and asked if I liked him, and of course I said yes forgetting completely about Santa. I asked what his name was and she said" OMNIBOT.
OMNIBOT is the vintage toy that sparked my interest in robotics, electronics, and programming. Every Christmas I still wish I had it.
What's all this nonsense about Santa not being real?
Jorge P, don't ruin this for me!!! :P
I have been thinking about entering my 20-22nd childhood (lost count) and getting one of these off ebay.
One of my favorites from early teens I guess. I thought it came out in the 70's but everything list it as an 80's toy.
-Phil
Huh. The post I was commenting on got deleted, apparently. Here's the link that was posted with it:
http://www.robotroom.com/BigTrak.html
Being born in the late 60's, I remember:
The Atari VCS. Still have one, love it. Get a copy of KABOOM! and when you are hooked on it for life, thank me later. That game gets you to "the zone" or "trance" state quickly. It's like a zen moment, clearing the mind, all washes away and there are just bombs and buckets. This toy is iconic, and it's severe hardware limits influenced gaming, due to every title needing to run at frame for frame speed. Crisp, simple, abstract gaming.
Atari 400 / 800 computers. http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1979toys.html Two words: "Star Raiders" I still play it today, and want to port this to Propeller...
*Any* older tube AM radio. Loved 'em as a kid, had lots of them, sold them, regret it big. To me, these were great toys, particularly when they would tune some band other than medium wave commercial, known as "AM" in the US. Hearing the BBC, Radio Moscow, and so many other global broadcasts then was incredible. Honestly, I still play with AM radios today too. Love 'em. The very first technology that appear as "magic" to me, and it connected people too. Can't beat that!
Erector Set, lego (which I still play with and have a small, fun set for my desk at work), lincoln logs. (no fun now, but I liked 'em then)
Casio Keyboards 'n Game Watches Casio made a bunch of great, cheap, "bendable" stuff. Had the calculator watch for many years. It's ugly now, but damn cool back then.
I never owned one, but a friend did: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PXL-2000
That thing was insane fun, and it needs an update too. We should be able to stuff a better image onto a good cassette... Anyway, loved that one. It's in the top 5 for sure. Rare and collectable now, or I would get one.
"Star Trek" Walkie Talkie base station. Can't seem to find a picture
Speak and Spell http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1979toys.html (scroll down) "Bending" this thing happened way before it was trendy. A good friend and I wired all manner of pots and caps to what we called "Franken Spell", and it was awesome.
Apple ][ computers. Scored one of those just before Jobs died. Glad I did. Spent way too much time playing "Ultima" as of late. Mine is going to get a Propeller card in it at some point. Just because.
Polaroid cameras (these are still a fine idea, and I'm happy to see efforts to keep them going)
Big Wheel trikes. Oh man, wore out tire after tire. The best!
"Radio Flyer" wagons. I never understood "Radio", but that intrigue bonded me to the simple wagon instantly. Today I still wonder, but I don't want to know either. (no spoilers please, let's leave the magic in the box --thanks)
Cassette Recorders. Great fun!
A great chemistry set given to me by my Grandfather. Yes, that one included gunpowder as one of the projects. I ended up not being good with chemicals, but I loved that set, the great books, and the fun results.
Radio Shack 200 in one electronics kits. The spring wire connects were genius. Built lots of stuff, and I can admit now, I kept it for LONG after I should have, just because I could use it for circuit bending / tweaks / and just for fun.
Rubic's Cube They hit my school by storm! Got to a point where I could solve in under 2 minutes. Great toy, and I have one of those on my desk too, and no I can't even come close to that solve time anymore. But, I still like it.
Well, all I can tell you is my peers who have denied Santa don't get the special "Santa" present any more. You know, the really cool, unwrapped one, with just the bow on it? The one you know is YOURS without even thinking. Yeah, Santa is a great guy.
He's been solid for me. I still get "Santa" presents. And I still know they are mine, and I still love them, and often they are goofy little toys.