Neat-o! I Had the Talking Herman Munster, Give-a-show with Frankenstein Jr.,Aurora Kits,& much stuff from the Johnson- Smith catalog, & Captain Company. They don't make cool toys anymore...
Tony (cryptjtd) <cryptjtd@netscape.net>
Athens, GA 30635 - Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 02:34:47 (EST)
Great site! I've been working on the site Retroland.com and there's been TONS of memories about toys from the "cool days". Come over and check us out. I'd love to see what we can do together as well.
Lisa Cone <Lisa.Cone@retroland.com>
Santa Monica, CA USA - Thursday, December 01, 2005 at 22:14:00 (EST)
What a great site! It was like a slap in the face seeing all of those toys I've played with growing up. Seeing the "Magicshot Shooting Gallery" brought back the sensation of playing with it! Now I've got my eye on some on Ebay. Thanks for the resources, your dedication, and the memory jolt! -BJ
BJ Skylar <bjskylar@yahoo.com>
Seattle, WA USA - Monday, November 28, 2005 at 03:51:14 (EST)
I have an orange& yellow cased SPIROTOT that my son had but rarely used, and I'm thinking of selling it. It's in perfect condition with all gear wheels, the booklet and pens. Everything fits neatly and snaps inside the orange and yellow plastic case, which is 9" x 6". The words Kenner 1982- Made in Mexico are embossed on the back of the case. The booklet, however, has a 1988 copyright. I think we got it in about 1991 or so. It's in MINT condition if anyone's interested in purchasing it. Thanks
Jackie <HEYJACKS1@aol.com>
Pitcairn, PA USA - Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 17:02:44 (EST)
Loved your site and the story about your eBay trials and tribulations. How about a Tiny Tears doll for your site? She was my favorite all the time I was growing up.
Barbara Mayer <barbmayer724@aol.com>
Los Lunas, NM USA - Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 04:33:54 (EST)
I got a Super Snooper in '62 which was fun. Unfortunately the back mirror was broken by my brother playing with a pair of shears.. I did somw snoopung with it too :)
Jay
USA - Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 20:54:22 (EST)
You put a lot of work into a really terrific site! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Lisa Boblick <tlcboblicks@hotmail.com>
Albuquerque, NM USA - Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 11:02:39 (EST)
Very good site! I like it! I just wanted to pass on a note to let you know what a great job you have done with this site..Thanks!
Sergej Brin <Sergej Brin>
New York, NY USA - Monday, November 14, 2005 at 14:34:15 (EST)
Why can't I find reference to the Spirograph I had as a child? It was a METAL base and a hinged METAL armpiece with holes along the length. You would hook these holes into pegs all around the circle on the base and put your pencil at the juncture of the hinge and push it around. Much more challenging than the plastic circles, and, I believe it predates them. Wish I still had it.
Marilyn <moggiesten@aol.com>
USA - Thursday, October 27, 2005 at 14:20:20 (EDT)(The toy was called the "Hoot-Nanny" or "The Magic Designer", search for either on eBay and you'll likely find a copy - Sam)
Hi there very nice site! I was loooking for the nettts toy, I was wondering if anyone knew where I can find nettts toys at. They are a set, and was made in 50's. SO if you know what nettts are, please post on here, as I come to to this site looking for people talking about their stories, and to see if anyone has a nettts toy.
Nettts Netttts <none@none.com>
USA - Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at 07:27:33 (EDT)
Hello there! I stumpled across your page while searching for a "teeter totter watch." I'm still looking for one. Any idea of manufacturer, etc?? Anyway, I'm sure read the entries so I can reminesce about my childhood. Keep up the great work!
Samantha <androiddungeon2003@yahoo.com>
Virginia Beach, VA USA - Friday, October 07, 2005 at 15:36:09 (EDT)
I saw the Optical Lab Kit. Brings back memories. I worked at Radio Shack for about 15 years. That kit was produced for a short tiime, ending in about 1981, as I recall. I think it came on the shelves in 1978 or 1979. The reason that I remember it is because I created a fake security camera out of one just after they were discontinued and I had one sitting around that I just couldn't sell. I built a lens setup, glued it onto a project box that was about the right size, drilled a hole into it, put in a flashing LED, glued 2 knobs onto it, put on a microphone mount to the bottom, a gooseneck, then a small mic stand, plugged in the AC adapter I hooked to the LED, set it on top of a "stereo cube" that Radio Shack used to use for displaying stereo equipment, and my shoplifiting problem dropped dramatically. I also remember the XXX in one project kits. The last one I remember was a 200 in 1 that they carried in 1995...it MIGHT have been discontinued around that era. I don't know if they carry those anymore or not, but I personally owned a 160 in 1 in 1974. Plus a Globe Patrol shortwave radio that I actually had to put together and solder. Quite a kit...took a while, but it did work. I am now a ham radio hobbyist (KE5FVW is my call sign)...all came about because of Radio Shack. Feel free to visit my site at www.gildavis.com.
Gil Davis <gildavis@usa.com>
Albuquerque, NM USA - Friday, October 07, 2005 at 13:14:05 (EDT)(Gil is also the creator/moderator of the Albuquerque Online Traders Yahoo Group for folks who want to buy/sell/trade/give items in and around Albuquerque, NM. - Sam)
I was lucky enough to have the vertibird when I was about 8 years old. I got it for Christmas one year and it was the greatest present that I ever had. My parents knew how much into flying and space that I was and "santa" brought me one of these. I think I played for it for a month straight. Every hour of the day that I was awake I was flying missions to secure the capsule and the spaceman. Unlike the helicopter pilot in the 60's, I was able to "save" Gus Grissom and his capsule..haha. I really wish I could have hung on to this toy my whole life. But, I probably wore it out or broke it, since the ship itself was only made out of styrofoam. Thanks for the memories.
Don S. <tenn9fan@yahoo.com>
Franklin, TN USA - Tuesday, October 04, 2005 at 16:49:20 (EDT)
What is the Big Burger Grill? I just had to say that I loved you site it brought back so many memories: the gi joe transformers swatcats thundercats heman voltron and the list goes on and on. Even today in my room me 26 years old with a gi joe helecopter and my hot wheels cars on desplay. Dude you rock!
fea <whotlru@hotmail.com>
virginia beach, va USA - Monday, September 26, 2005 at 15:57:00 (EDT)
Loved 'Sticky Finger' and 'Vac-U-Form". I or my siblings had many of the toys on your list. Great site!!!
Robert W. Smith <rwsmith29456@bellsouth.net>
Ladson, sc USA - Monday, September 19, 2005 at 23:08:27 (EDT)
Sam - what an awesome page! Even though my generation was that of 3.5" GI Joes, Transformers, and Tyco RC cars, most of my fondest memories of childhood involved playing with the hand-me-down toys given to me by my aunts and uncles - Battling Tops, the Cape Kennedy Launch Carry-All, Chutes Away!, and so many more that you have featured here on your site. You've inspired me to track down some of the older toys I loved as a kid - the Johnny Lightning coaster racetrack, Thing-a-Ding-Ding, and (what I hope to be my crown jewel) a late-'50's Erector "Missile Launch" set, complete with steel box. Thanks for the great memories!
Lee <snapz007@yahoo.com>
Macon, GA USA - Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 19:18:50 (EDT)
I loved the documented “story” of nomanya...did I spell that right? Eh, I’m just kidding. Also I am not visually impaired thank god. I have over 150 buys on eBay and can’t imagine such a fiasco! You were very patient. Your time was well spent indeed. Good work. Now I will go look at toys. Thans….err…thanks…eh!
Pete Hicks <pepe0711@hotmail.com>
Muskogee, OK USA - Saturday, September 03, 2005 at 21:07:23 (EDT)
Hey Sam! How are you! We went to Washington, DC this summer on vacation and I spotted an old game I had in the Smithsonian..... Snoopy and The Red Baron. I was amazed to see that one. And you've found other toys I've also had listed here. But of course - we graduated together (and lived thru the 60's at the same time)!! Take care!
Robin Azzato <robin.azzato@pepsi.com>
St. Marys, PA USA - Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at 15:58:15 (EDT)
I had those same kits as you from American Basic Science Club in 1960, 61, and 62. I remember the little book "Steps to a Ham License"... I followed it into my career of 42 years as a ham and to my engineering career with Bell Labs and later with Lucent.
Thomas F. Keel <tfkeel@ptd.net>
Orwigsburg, PA USA - Monday, August 15, 2005 at 18:21:13 (EDT)
I, too, had lost the instructions. Thank you so much for providing them.
Joyce Phillips
MD USA - Wednesday, August 10, 2005 at 16:23:06 (EDT)
Thanks for re-surfacing some wonderful memories that were lost. I recalled the fun times on the lounge room floor with my elder brother and sister playing Kaboom, ESP and Which Witch. Hands down and may of the Ideal and Mattel. Do you have KerPlunk as well? Thanks again for making this site. I will send it to my brother and sister. They will enjoy too. Chris.
Chris Williams
Sydney, NSW Australia - Saturday, July 30, 2005 at 09:52:41 (EDT)
On April 4, Jeanne asked if anyone remembers Hoppin' Poppies. I DO!!!!! I LOVED those things! I used to push those dome-heads down and hide them underneath my dad's chair so they'd pop up and "scare" him! He was such a great dad - he always acted surprised... :) I don't remember the point of the game but sure did pop those Hoppin' Poppies all over the house! LOL!! Linda
Linda <legltex@aol.com>
Houston, TX USA - Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 14:15:38 (EDT)
When I was a kid (in the 80's) I had something like a pocket calculator able to make some different artifical noises and "speak" ... it was from Texas Instruments. Later I became a fan of the german band Kraftwerk and dicovered they used the same tool for a song of them and even "played the calculator" live at stage. Unfortunately they have it removed by a background video the last tour :(
Michael <michael_m@yahoo.com>
Benton, USA - Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 19:40:48 (EDT)
Thank you Sam for having the "Think-a-Tron" toy on your website. I've been looking for information on it for many years. Think-a-Tron was one of my favorite toys as a child. I always hoped that I would be able to find one again. The one I had was probably thrown out when we had work done on our home back in the 1960's. Seeing the picture and the computer question/answer cards brought back a lot of very happy memories. I used to love to see the screen light up with the correct answers after inserting the q&a cards. I used to make up my own question/answer cards and the screen would light up (believe it or not) and by chance sometimes give the correct answers. It was a great educational toy. I used to play with it for hours and hours. I was probably around 10 or 11 years old. I loved it. Thank you again for giving me these very happy memories.
Rae Hayward <harae2art@aol.com>
Pinole, Ca USA - Friday, July 22, 2005 at 18:08:06 (EDT)
This story was entertaining and unbelievable! I must say you had great patience with this guy. I loved your "Are you kidding me?" comment in the end. What a loser this guy is. Wishing you well with your future E-bay encounters.
Nancy <nanbeau@sbcglobal.net>
Abilene, Tx. USA - Friday, July 22, 2005 at 11:37:18 (EDT)
Hi again, I also wanted to comment on a toy I haven't seen for years. Major Matt Mason. The little space guy with the helmet that has the yellow uv ray shield. I loved MMM. He was smaller than GI Joe and easier to handle.
chris <chris.babbitt@gmail.com>
Plymouth, ma USA - Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 15:07:44 (EDT)
It looks to me like paypal has been included as an accomplice to a crime. Did you show this email to paypal or the authorities? You have great patience. I would've made it my lifes work to track down this imbicile and break every one of his fingers. But, thats just me.
chris <chris.babbitt>
plymouth, ma USA - Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 14:45:37 (EDT)
Loved your web site and story. Knock on wood....I have not had a bad buy from E-Bay.
Mellissa <maybe_youknow@yahoo.com>
lake county, Ill USA - Saturday, July 16, 2005 at 10:19:26 (EDT)
thanks for the site...i done a search for the mighty man, monster maker toy set and it took me to your site.. i havent seen this thing in i guess 30 years...used to use the plates and create all sorts of different characters. i now know who made the toy... it will help me to try to track it down. thanks ...
chris <dudekindjack@aol.com>
manchester , ky USA - Thursday, July 14, 2005 at 04:10:35 (EDT)
THANKS SAM!! The Straw that broke the Camel's Back : ) ..really known as The Last Straw brought me to your site. WHAT A GIFT to be able to sit here and remember, and cry and laugh..and to wonder why I ever got rid of these great games!! I debated about searching for my favorite Camel game for years.....and now my third discovery of cancer in 10 years...the time is NOW....so at 43...I told my oncologist this is The Last Straw.......a new type of cancer this time...one more try and that is it..after this treatment no more........so the camel is now not only my favorite childhood game, but a picture of life....truly the camel's back will not be broken...he just lays down for a rest. THANKS SAM.......this site is a great adventure........will find my brother a King of the Hill game too..he still thinks he is that to this day!!! : )
Jane <jesnow461@mchsi.com>
IA USA - Monday, July 11, 2005 at 06:38:32 (EDT)
Battling Tops is the one I remember most. Got it for Christmas in 1971 or '72, we had a blast with that game. Recently purchased the reissue by Mattel, a bit smaller than the original but still fun. My 4 year old daughter loves it.
Henry Koedam <oilslick9@hotmail.com>
Abbotsford, B.C Canada - Wednesday, July 06, 2005 at 19:17:19 (EDT)
holy cr ... ow! hardly ever read such a hilarious story like that e-bay one. although i do feel sorry for you, mr cancilla. what a guy! that is the GREATEST IMPUDENCE I'VE EVER READ ABOUT! thinking that people are stupid (especially thinking this about you who did nice transactions with 200 sellers in the past!) and unable to track down the cashing-in of money orders. HAHA! sorry, but this is really saucy. saying "i haven't got the order", but gleefully cashing in TWO (!) on the same day. OMG. man can be dim-witted at times.
anonymous <xx@xxxxx.xx>
........., Europe - Monday, July 04, 2005 at 18:15:31 (EDT)
WoOW, what a great site, with some great nostalgia and excellent links. I,m not having a mid life chrisis i,m just growing up again with my 2 year old Son going on 10years. How spoilt i was when i was a kid, i didn,t have posh expensive toys but i recon i had pretty much one of everything else. When searching and discovering all the awesom toys my friends and i had, a leaf was turned..Vertbird i cant beleive it......a buddy of mine had this toy and we were the pilot on a mission "so intense and credability on the line" could we be as good as our next buddy and better with the ultimate hover. I found chopper patrol at a car boot sale for £4.00 and i couldn,t believe it, boxed aswell. More adults have played this game in the last 2 weeks while brushing childrens hands away " in a minute son i just gotta ". This has to be one of the most classic games ever, its timeless even from the early games of the 1920s. Must fly Kandyman U.K
kandymankollectables <kandyman@tiscali.co.uk>
worlds end, u.k - Thursday, June 30, 2005 at 10:54:44 (EDT)
These toys bring back so many memories, I wish my toys didn't mysteriously disapear when ever my family moved. I was wondering if you remember Match Box Mac Men action figures which were produced for a few years in the mid-70's. There is very little information on the web.
Karl Adler Jr.
Hoboken, NJ USA - Friday, June 24, 2005 at 15:41:07 (EDT)
I had a 100-in-1 kit. I goofed around with that thing for years. Analog electronics were too difficult for me though, I had to wait for digital before I could really understand what was going on. :)
Mike <cranq@yahoo.com>
Guelph, ON Canada - Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 01:51:09 (EDT)
Thank you for having this site to reflect on a childhood that we all like to draw on the memories from..... I was recently talking to a friend and asked him if he remembered Sticky Finger and he had...then we began to recall other toys from our past....I loved my game Booby Trap, that was so much fun. I had the Frosty Sno Man Sno Cone Maker that I ground my skin off my fingers with...LOL I also had that Incredible Edibles machine where I had made countless, umm, edibles??? that my Dad always ate because I made them...What a good father I had as a kid....we spoke of that recently...LOL I spent countless hours with Spirogragh, Last Straw, Give a Show....I also had Kaboom and no matter how prepared I was, still jumped when the balloon popped...I also had a frog that I remembed begging for...he was called Odd Ogg...he was battery operated and would come across the floor, stop and open his mouth, his tounge would drop out and you would roll a ball into his mouth....well, the first time he did this....I ran into my room, screaming....LOL , I was young...anyone remember Odd Ogg? I still have him...and I still wont start him up....LOL
sweets
nashua, nh USA - Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 10:25:04 (EDT)
I was pleasantly surprised to see Mattel Power Shop info in your site. I got mine from "Santa" in the mid 60's and I re-discovered it at my folks' place a few years ago. I used it to make alot of cool stuff, some of which I still have. . . Yea, I confess, I'm a packrat. One project was a miniature chest of drawers - 3 top drawers and 2 lower hinged doors with a mirror attached to the top. My 9 yr old uses the Power Shop now to work his projects. The only weak part of the design was that the jigsaw parts would wear out quickly. Oh well, a little tape kept it all together.
Randy Dvorsky <randyd@dslextreme.com>
San Jose, CA USA - Monday, May 23, 2005 at 07:06:35 (EDT)
I was looking for a different sno cone maker than the one we just bought....I SEEN THE SNOW BIRD ON HERE!!!! OMG, I almost cried when I seen it...It's a Grandma thing...LOL...She and I used to make snow cones with it ALL the time!!!! How great to know someone out there remembers "back in the day!!!!"
Cheri <needthisforabit@yahoo.com>
MO USA - Thursday, May 19, 2005 at 17:25:28 (EDT)
I absolutely love the Spirograph. I have the set from 1986. I still have the complete set, including the ink pens and the ring holder. I hated using the ring holder because it was made of flimsy plastic and never did any good, plus I didn't like having holes in my paper. The pens still have ink in them, which is great because I have the original colors (Blue, Pink, Orange). I think the only problem with the set is when I was little, I chewed on the smallest gear a little bit. It doesn't work so well, but all the parts are present. Thanks for sharing your collection. I really enjoyed it.
Valarie <troll1984@yahoo.com>
Berea, KY USA - Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 19:36:35 (EDT)
I remember the vertibird toy - COOL! I also had to laugh at your Ebay misadventure. I was duped as an Ebay virgin the first time I ordered something from overseas without reading the fine print. Does anyone remember a toy that had meatl jets you ran down a line with an aircraft carrier?
kevin hawkins <kevin.hawkins@adtrav.com>
bham, al USA - Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 11:44:35 (EDT)
I'm not crazy! Someone else remembers that cool game "Which Witch?" that I used to play as a kid at the relatives! It was all I looked forward to in visiting until one visit it was gone. I'd love to find it again for my fammily now, but hope it is as fun as I remember.
Karl Meyer <Meyer6557@aol.com>
Woodbury, CT USA - Monday, May 02, 2005 at 00:27:20 (EDT)
Does anyone know of a decent site to buy old mcdonalds and other fast food happy meal toys? Thanks so much!
Angie <abuckbee60@mailbox4free.com>
Upperglade, West Virginia USA - Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at 09:55:42 (EDT)
Sam, thanks for keeping it up. Love looking at all the games we had as kids. They don't know what they are missing now .. with Playstation and Xbox, and no "Tip It," or Mouse Trap. I was able to better elaborate on the virtues of one of the games to dear friend with you great pages.
Mike Gitchel <gitchelm@aol.com>
Norfolk, VA USA - Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 16:28:03 (EDT)
I recently discovered my Mattel Power Shop. My brother saved it when our mother died nine years ago. I thought it was thrown away in 1966. My brother was making a miniature Hammond organ. He used the lathe to turn the legs. It worked great. My work shop is a 1965 model. It has the hard plastic box and most of the parts. The instruction manual is in primo shape. Could someone get back to me as of the value of this great toy? I remember making cars and great airplanes with it. I wish I still had the things I created. Any imformation about the shop would be appreciated. Thank You, Jon Hack
Jon Hack <cyhackusa@yahoo.com>
Ames, IA USA - Monday, April 18, 2005 at 22:35:40 (EDT)
I am thrilled that someone has collected and archived this stuff. As a spoiled brat of that era I am now able to see once again the myriad of toys that shaped my youth. I grew up with many of these toys and would love to chat with anyone who shares similar memories. Thanks so much John P
John Papastathis <papas2@0ptonline.net>
Nyack, NY USA - Sunday, April 10, 2005 at 23:33:52 (EDT)
hey..does anyone remember a game called hoppin poppies??? it had these little rounded dome guys on springs that you pushed down..dont remember what happened when they popped but for some reason this game has stuck in my mind lo all these years!
jeanne <jeanne@c-p-u.net>
gladstone , or USA - Monday, April 04, 2005 at 21:24:26 (EDT)
What a trip back in time!!! I had forgotten about these toys...thing ding, break the camels back, and of course the creepy crawly maker. Thanks for a little wander back to my childhood!
jeanne <jeanne@c-p-u.net>
gladstone, or USA - Monday, April 04, 2005 at 21:21:27 (EDT)
I remember a game when you look throught a glass at the top of the game down at a round disk rotating below and dropped bombs into a holes in the disk. I believe it was called Bombs Away - made in the late 1970's. Do you know the name and maker? Thanks
Kent Nesbitt <kenamt@yahoo.com>
Kennesaw, GA USA - Sunday, March 27, 2005 at 09:02:39 (EST)(Kent is close, the game is called Chutes Away from Gabriel in 1978. - Sam)
I was wondering if anyone knew of the name of that toy that molded Tootsie Rolls into different shapes. My sister and I have very fond memories of that toy, but have no idea what it was called. Thanks for your help.
Martha Nelson
USA - Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at 19:27:34 (EST)(that would be called Toot Sweet by Mattel, a toy featured in the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - here's a picture of the box from the Timewarp Toys & Collectibles website - you can search eBay for it but keep in mind that it is pretty rare - Sam)
Great site! Harsh to realize that a while ago toys were all about facilitating play, rather than presenting a structured approach towards playing that was designed by a designer with little imagination and limited by evil inter-corporate mechanisms. Or whatever. :)
Ronnie F <stuurdatmaarnaar@hotmail.com>
Utrecht, Holland - Friday, March 04, 2005 at 09:04:41 (EST)
wwooww!!!! this site is awsome, but then again im visually impaired and im not wearing my glasses, but oh well
Billy <mrwarmbiscuits@yahoo.com>
Windsor, CA USA - Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at 17:03:55 (EST)
Hi Sam! My best friend's son recently spent the evening with me, and he wanted to know what games I had to play, so we looked through my closet, and I showed him my Pull Out The Rug Game, which he was fascinated with (he's 7)!. I remember playing the game with my Dad and my sister years ago(I'm 40). I don't have the box the game came in, but I have the rug, the spinner, and all the objects. Some of my objects are different colors that what you show here on the site. My "surfer" also broke off of the surfboard. I don't have any directions either, on the rules of the game. I'm wondering who pulls out the rug, and when, and what happens if you spin, and you land on an object that is already stacked on the pile??? I called my Dad, but he doesn't remember either. I also e-mailed your web site to my sister. Great site! Thanks for helping to bring back old memories!!! I'm still sometimes amazed at the things that I can find on the internet!!!
Wendi <wli23@aol.com>
New Philadelphia, OH USA - Sunday, February 20, 2005 at 11:11:31 (EST)
Hi Sam. I love your sight. I'm a visually impaired user, so the fact that all your toys are in link form is handy. It is very easy for my screen reader to read all your text descriptions. Anyway, I'm looking for a bowling game. I don't know the name of it, but I can sort of remember how it felt like. It's a little fold up game with a wind-up ball with feet. The alley came in a little holder, and you could attach it to the carrying case. Do you know what it's called, and do you have one? Or where can I find one? It's the only bowling game, I could knock all the pins down with. :) Thanks for the fun on your site.
Bethany
Dubuque, Iowa USA - Saturday, February 19, 2005 at 06:12:55 (EST)(the game Bethany remembers was called "Strolling Bowling" and was made by Tomy in the 1970s and 80s - you can search eBay for it, the game is readily available - Sam)
You kinda went wayyyy over the top on the Story about the guy from Ebay..YES, He is an Idiot I believe but....Come on.....You wrote a fricking book...abit anal dont you think? he is probally in another name doing same thing again and all the time you spent writting that will not help anyone....Just my opinion..... :-)
Concerned
USA - (he is probably you--neither of you can spell! - Sam)
Sam, Just sold you an American Basic Science Club kit which I was also into at 12 years of age in 1962. It too guided me onto my careers in engineering. But my fave toy of all time which is not on your list perhaps because it's before your time was the Ideal Electronic Fighter Jet! Man, for 20 bucks it did everything you want a toy to do--lights, sounds, projected enemy aircraft on your walls that you shot with darts... try to find one. Have fun, -Ed Strnad HIFIBASE
Ed <estrnad@yahoo.com>
Redondo Beach , CA USA -
I received the American Basic Science Club kits as a kid in 1968. I still have several of them amd all of the manuals. Another toy that I had, about 1963, was a battery powered gyroscope. It had a plastic ring that contained the AA batteries. When you snapped it on the gyro would start to spin. I have never seen another. Thanks!
Steve Warren <swarr42@juno.com>
New Palestine, IN USA -
I've been looking everywhere for the game Forbidden Bridge, I haven't played it in years, but i Loved that game! nice site
Joe <jbdbackfan@yahoo.com>
Cleveland, OH USA - Sunday, February 06, 2005 at 09:26:54 (MST)
I found this site looking for a Tootsie Roll Candy maker, which Joel talked about last year. My sisters and I have been trying to find one forever. I had to check out the rest of the site... . So many memories, so many games. Looking at the site, I saw so many that I had played with many moons ago. Some I had even forgotten about until looking at your want list. Voice of the Mummies was at my cousins house, it never worked great, but it was still fun and different..... We had a Skittles game, but it got sold in a rummage sale. Thanks for the great site Lori
lori <guin65@msn.com>
wi USA - Friday, February 04, 2005 at 21:46:49 (MST)
Wow, Green Ghost was my favorite! Me and my little brother spent many hours in the dark with this one.
Lisa Pearson <sweetpea_lp@hotmail.com>
Summerfield, nc USA - Friday, January 14, 2005 at 18:51:46 (MST)
Thanks to your site i was able to find out a bit about my own Daisy Sonic Gun ! Mines a bit diffirent from the one i saw on your site ! it has a metalic Blue paint job and is still in working order amazing :-) it used to be my uncles and when i was younger my mum told me she had got rid of it ! well imagine my surprise when this christmas round my nans i bring it up in conversation, and my nan say's she still has it !
Stuart <rudktol@hotmail.com>
England - Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 08:18:01 (MST)
Wow, Sam-man!! What a great site for those of us who can appreciate a good "blast from the past". Santa was able to get my 9-year old daughter some packs of Plastigoop from Toys-R-Us and later on xmas day, we brought home my old Thingmaker sets from my parent's attic. I'm glad that I stored them away since playing with them in the 60's and 70's. We've been having a blast with them all. I've been looking for any information on cleaning Goop out of clothing; I guess when I was a kid I never worried about that too much. Any ideas? Also, my older brother had an "Injector" that pre-dates my stuff by at least 5-10 years. It is similar to the Toymax Super Injector you show (makes military figures), but has a very simple black and gold melting tower/plunger and blue plastic molds, and I don't think it's made by Mattel. I'm going to try to get molding sticks from Toymax or wherever I can find them and resurrect that from it's dusty storage. We always had to re-melt the sprues and truck parts over and over again. Why wait for Santa to find this stuff next year. Sure, some toys are great collectible items, but I can't think of better things to share and hand down to my one and only. Not to mention, she's more intrigued by my old things than most of the current crap that kids get to play with, break, and throw away nowadays. Oh yeah, I used to have a Green Ghost game I played all the time. Don't remember where it ended up, but it's great to see it here. Thanks for the memories!
Joe <jmnicosia@att.net>
Honeoye Falls, NY USA - Sunday, January 02, 2005 at 16:10:24 (MST)
Hi Sam, I have something to add to the comments I made in this guestbook on December 14, 2004. I may no longer have my Vertibird or my Ricochet Racers, but, somehow after all these years, I managed to hold on to another one of my childhood toys. It is one that I don't see on your site. It isn't actually a toy but a wrist watch. It is a "Teeter Totter" watch and it still works!! Mine has a white wrist band with blue stars. The casing on the watch is clear plastic and it is really cool to see all of the gears turning and the boy and girl moving on the teeter totter. It is in perfect condition too! I got it when I was in third grade, around 1975. It is the only childhood toy I have left, and I cherish it. I'll bet people would enjoy seeing one if you got one on this site! Thats all for now and keep up the good work!
N Lapson
Aliquippa, PA USA - Saturday, January 01, 2005 at 18:34:44 (MST)
Contact me: Sam Cancilla, sam@samstoybox.com.
