The Toys That Built America

History Channel ^ | early 80's | History Channel

[DallasBiff]

Against the backdrop of major events in American history like the Civil War and the Great Depression, “The Toys that Built America” shares a different story—one that brings new products and nostalgic toys to the forefront as driving forces behind untold cultural and economic shifts

[NetAddicted]

Read later.

[cyclotic]

We were at some friends the other night. Their son, who’s about 14 brought out some of his carvings. He made a knight on a horse. The knight has articulated arms and is about 2” tall. He carved it out of a cartridge of cured caulk then painted it a dingy silver color.

This thing looked incredible.

[SauronOfMordor]

I had a REAL chemistry set 60 years ago. The government would flip out if anyone tried to sell anything like it now.

[SauronOfMordor]

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-rise-and-fall-and-rise-of-the-chemistry-set-70359831/

[kaktuskid]

Nylint was Tonka’s rival and seemed to have better details.

[kaktuskid]

Most of the plastic car kit manufacturers-AMT,MPC,Lindberg-have been acquired by one company and the manufacturing shipped off to China.

[mewzilla]

I did, too! And a chemistry set. A good one. Good luck getting a hold of one of those anymore...

[mewzilla]

My li’l bro had Tonkas. He shared. :-)

[ealgeone]

Still have some of the Matchbox cars. My dad used to travel and he’d always bring one home for me as a surprise. Had some of the original ones. Wish I still had them.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

I had at least 30, accumulated 1965-1970 or so. No idea what ever happened to them after I moved out.

[Big Red Badger]

Mom’s Yardsale ,,,
They went cheap.

[4yearlurker]

Me and my brother got the first Hot Wheels set one Christmas. It was 1969 (I think) We loved it and had lots of fun. Also I remember the first Mouse Trap and Operation games too. A few years back I bought a Mouse Trap game in its original box for a dollar. To my surprise it was all there in good shape. The grand kids love it!

[LS]

Sir Harold Evans had a great series in 2006 called “They Made America.” (Yes, the guy married to Tina (”New Yorker”) Brown. You won’t find a more pro-American, patriotic series EXCEPT the first two episodes of Russell Simmons and Ted Turner, each a half hour. (I spoke to Sir Harry around 2008 and he insisted those were added after he put the series together and had never even seen them, let alone produced them).

Otherwise, the episodes are about 20 minutes, and his episode on Ruth Handler’s Barbie is an absolute joy. Strong woman, great business sense, amazing toy that captured girls’ imagination.

[caver]

Great show!

[V K Lee]

For young females, they dreamed of kitchen appliances, Sink, range w/oven, frig. And, of course a small dining table seating 4. Some, more ‘well to do’ had these toys which actually spouted running water, cooked real food. Others made do with cardboard boxes painted accordingly. Still others had nothing but a mighty oak casting shade over a large area. They set up their own version of kitchens and made mud pies
of all descriptions using disposables for ‘flavor’. Childhood
was a time for imagination and long hours of fun.

[Conan the Librarian]

I am waiting for an episode on Tactics, Tactics II, PanzerBlitz, Squad Leader, and Advanced Squad Leader.

[telescope115]

I used to get plastic models and glue them together. Testors Corp. was a local company, we had a lot of models to choose from.

[telescope115]

My hat’s off to you! I wish I still had mine. AND some of the early Spider-Man comics I had…

[Western Phil]

I had a REAL chemistry set 60 years ago

You could buy any kind of chemical from an outfit in Chicago - don’t remember its name. Dynamite was available at the local hardware store. Don’t know if they would sell it to kids though.

[telescope115]

and a neighbor’s souvenir Japanese rifle)

What’s it an Arisaka? My Dad brought one home, those were heavy suckers!