158. Bell Telephone Princess Phone
Where It Was Sold: Bell Telephone stores
Company: Western Electric (for Bell System)
Original Price: $39.95* (plus service)
The Bell Telephone Princess Phone was the ’60s answer to teen dreams, wrapping late-night whispers and heart-to-hearts in a sleek, chic package. This wasn’t your grandma’s rotary dial; oh no, it was the hotline to high school gossip and secret crush confessions.
Bell Telephone Princess Phone ©Mcheath/Wikimedia
Decked out in colors that made your bedroom pop, the Princess Phone was the ultimate accessory for any gossip queen or king. It promised privacy with its own light-up dial—no more sharing with snoopy siblings. Remember those endless talks under the covers? This phone was your faithful co-conspirator, making every conversation a royal affair.
159. Fisher-Price Chatter Telephone
Where It Was Sold: Woolworths, Kmart
Company: Fisher-Price
Original Price: $1.99*
The Fisher-Price Chatter Telephone rolled into the hearts of toddlers with a grin as wide as the adventures it promised. This cheerful chatterbox was more than a toy; it was a child’s first foray into the world of gab. With eyes that wobbled with every tug and a dial that taught the art of patience, it was a companion on every imaginary journey.
Fisher-Price Chatter Telephone @etsy/Pinterest
The ringing of its bell was the call to adventure, turning living rooms into bustling cities and hallways into highways. It wasn’t just moving; it was chatting its way through the early memories of playtime, one pull at a time.
160. Kenner Spirograph
Where It Was Sold: FAO Schwarz, Toys “R” Us
Company: Kenner
Original Price: $4.99*
The Kenner Spirograph twirled its way into the annals of toy history, spinning a web of geometric wonders that fascinated minds young and old. This artistic marvel, with its gears and rings, was not just a toy but a portal to a psychedelic world of patterns.
Kenner Spirograph @etsy/Pinterest
As the pen danced across the paper, guided by plastic wheels, it left behind a trail of intricate designs, each more mesmerizing than the last. The Spirograph was a testament to the beauty of mathematics and art entwined, making every turn a discovery of new possibilities.
161. Tonka Mighty Dump Truck
Where It Was Sold: Sears, Montgomery Ward
Company: Tonka
Original Price: $5.99*
The Tonka Mighty Dump Truck was the titan of the sandbox, a symbol of unyielding durability and the dream of every aspiring builder. With its unmistakable yellow body and robust wheels, it was more than just a toy truck; it was a steadfast companion in the great outdoors.
Tonka Mighty Dump Truck @ebay/Pinterest
It turned backyards into major construction sites, where empires rose and fell before dinner time. The Tonka Dump Truck was not merely a vehicle but a bearer of dreams, hauling loads of imagination across gravel and grass alike. It taught the virtues of hard work and the satisfaction of a job well done, one load at a time.
162. Polaroid Colorpack Camera
Where It Was Sold: RadioShack, Sears
Company: Polaroid
Original Price: $39.95*
The Polaroid Colorpack Camera snapped its way into family gatherings and heartwarming moments, offering instant gratification in an era of anticipation. With a click and a whirr, it transformed fleeting smiles into tangible keepsakes, freezing time with its glossy squares of joy.
Polaroid Colorpack Camera @etsy/Pinterest
This camera was a magic box that made photographers of us all, capturing the now with a charm that digital couldn’t touch. Birthday parties, first bikes, and lazy summer days were immortalized in its embrace, proving that the best memories were those you could hold in your hand.
163. Wham-O Magic Window
Where It Was Sold: Spencer’s Gifts, Woolworths
Company: Wham-O
Original Price: $3.99*
The Wham-O Magic Window offered a glimpse into a tranquil world, a pane of peace in the palm of your hand. This simple yet mesmerizing toy, filled with colorful sand and crystals, wasn’t just a window but a canvas that painted pictures with every turn.
Wham-O Magic Window @etsy/Pinterest
Mountains, valleys, and dunes emerged from nothing, inviting imagination to wander in its silent landscapes. The Magic Window was a meditation, a quiet companion that taught the beauty of patience and the art of seeing the extraordinary in the simple shift of sands.
164. Duncan Yo-Yo
Where It Was Sold: Woolworths, local toy stores
Company: Duncan
Original Price: $0.99*
The Duncan Yo-Yo spun its way into the playground hall of fame, a whirlwind of fun that twirled on the tips of fingers. This looping marvel wasn’t just a piece of wood or plastic on a string; it was a badge of cool, a challenge to master.
Duncan Yo-Yo @etsy/Pinterest
Walk the Dog, Rock the Baby—each trick a step up the social ladder. The Duncan Yo-Yo turned recess into a showcase of skill, where each flick of the wrist brought fame and fortune in the eyes of peers. It was a tournament, with champions crowned in the art of the spin.
165. Nerf Ball
Where It Was Sold: Toys “R” Us, Kmart
Company: Parker Brothers (a division of Hasbro)
Original Price: $1.99*
The Nerf Ball brought the game indoors, a soft revolution in a world of “no ball games inside.” This squishy orb of orange was more than a ball; it was freedom. Suddenly, living rooms became dodgeball courts, and staircases turned into amphitheaters of action.
Nerf Ball @cbsnews/Pinterest
The Nerf Ball promised fun without the collateral damage, a gentle giant in the world of play. It was about playing hard without playing havoc, proving that sometimes, the softest touch wins the game.
166. Johnny Seven OMA (One Man Army) Toy Gun
Where It Was Sold: FAO Schwarz, Sears
Company: Topper Toys
Original Price: $10.95*
The Johnny Seven OMA (One Man Army) Toy Gun armed a generation of backyard heroes, a battalion in a box that turned the tide in neighborhood skirmishes. With its seven built-in weapons, it was the Swiss Army knife of toy guns, a marvel of ’60s engineering.
Johnny Seven OMA (One Man Army) Toy Gun @NerfBoyProductions/Youtube
From grenade launcher to anti-tank rocket, each action-packed feature fueled fantasies of valor and victory. The Johnny Seven OMA a testament to ingenuity, a companion in countless campaigns against imaginary foes. It taught strategy, bravery, and the power of imagination—all in one formidable package.
167. Crayola Crayons 64 Pack with Built-in Sharpener
Where It Was Sold: Woolworths, JC Penney
Company: Crayola
Original Price: $1.29*
Before the rainbow was truly at your fingertips, Crayola introduced their 64 Pack with a built-in sharpener, making every child an artist capable of bringing their wildest dreams to life. Suddenly, the sky wasn’t just blue; it was Midnight Blue, Aquamarine, and Periwinkle.
Crayola Crayons 64 Pack with Built-in Sharpener ©u/Tarantula_Saurus_Rex/Reddit
This was the key to unlocking a vivid world where trees could be Purple Pizzazz and dogs, Atomic Tangerine. The sharpener ensured that creativity never dulled, keeping every shade ready for action. Crayola didn’t just color the world; it added a spectrum of imagination to every stroke.
168. Deluxe Reading Barbie-sized Kitchen
Where It Was Sold: Sears, Montgomery Ward
Company: Deluxe Reading
Original Price: $8.99*
Step into the miniature culinary world of the Deluxe Reading Barbie-sized Kitchen, where aspiring chefs and homemakers whipped up gourmet meals for the discerning tastes of Barbie and friends. This was no ordinary toy kitchen; it was the epitome of fine dining in plastic, complete with bubbling pots and a dishwasher that spared no detail.
Deluxe Reading Barbie-sized Kitchen @etsy/Pinterest
Each dinner party was a soiree of sophistication, teaching young minds the art of cuisine and the elegance of entertaining. The Deluxe Reading Kitchen was about crafting culinary masterpieces in a world where imagination was the most delicious ingredient.
169. Fisher-Price School Days Desk
Where It Was Sold: Kmart, Woolworths
Company: Fisher-Price
Original Price: $5.99*
Long before laptops and tablets entered the classroom, the Fisher-Price School Days Desk was the go-to educational toy for eager young minds. This charming little desk, complete with letters, numbers, and even a chalkboard, turned any corner of the house into a personal classroom.
Fisher-Price School Days Desk @etsy/Pinterest
It wasn’t just about learning ABCs and 123s; it was about sparking a love for learning that no app could replicate. The click of the chalk, the slide of the letters into their slots—each was a step towards knowledge. The School Days Desk made kids excited to learn, proving that sometimes, the best educational tools come with a dose of nostalgia.
170. Marx Big Wheel
Where It Was Sold: Toys “R” Us, Montgomery Ward
Company: Marx Toys
Original Price: $9.99*
The Marx Big Wheel was the king of the cul-de-sac, a three-wheeled throne from which many a child ruled the sidewalk. It was a vehicle of freedom, its low stance and massive front wheel promising speed and adventures.
Marx Big Wheel @Google/Pinterest
The plastic ride-on was a symbol of childhood independence, a way for kids to explore their world with the wind in their hair. With every pedal, the Big Wheel was an escape, a way to race towards the horizon of imagination.