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- "Entombing King Tut" Cup & Ball Game, 1920-1940 - The cup and ball is a classic toy that has been played for hundreds of years. Players swing a ball tied to a string and try to catch it in the cup. Clever marketers produced this version housed in a box decorated with Egyptian motifs. The company sought to capitalize on archaeologists' discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun in 1922.
- 1920-1940
- Collections - Artifact
"Entombing King Tut" Cup & Ball Game, 1920-1940
The cup and ball is a classic toy that has been played for hundreds of years. Players swing a ball tied to a string and try to catch it in the cup. Clever marketers produced this version housed in a box decorated with Egyptian motifs. The company sought to capitalize on archaeologists' discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun in 1922.
- Children and Their Toys, circa 1955 -
- circa 1955
- Collections - Artifact
Children and Their Toys, circa 1955
- Electronic Game, Merlin, 1978-1985 - Merlin, introduced by Parker Brothers in 1978, joined a growing number of electronic games released in the late 1970s. Players could choose between six different games programmed into Merlin's microprocessor. The handheld game became an instant hit. But unlike many other toys that flashed and beeped, Merlin remained popular well into the 1980s.
- 1978-1985
- Collections - Artifact
Electronic Game, Merlin, 1978-1985
Merlin, introduced by Parker Brothers in 1978, joined a growing number of electronic games released in the late 1970s. Players could choose between six different games programmed into Merlin's microprocessor. The handheld game became an instant hit. But unlike many other toys that flashed and beeped, Merlin remained popular well into the 1980s.
- Two Boys with Easter Baskets and Toys, circa 1955 -
- circa 1955
- Collections - Artifact
Two Boys with Easter Baskets and Toys, circa 1955
- Texas Instruments Speak & Spell, 1978-1985 - Making an electronic chip that could synthesize speech was a tricky problem. But once the engineers at Texas Instruments solved it in 1978, their first product with their new chip wasn't an assistive device for the vision-impaired; it was a toy. The Speak & Spell was a popular and novel educational toy that pronounced words for early readers.
- 1978-1985
- Collections - Artifact
Texas Instruments Speak & Spell, 1978-1985
Making an electronic chip that could synthesize speech was a tricky problem. But once the engineers at Texas Instruments solved it in 1978, their first product with their new chip wasn't an assistive device for the vision-impaired; it was a toy. The Speak & Spell was a popular and novel educational toy that pronounced words for early readers.
- Tyro Blocks, "The Eighth Wonder of Toyland," 1905-1915 - Early construction sets, made up of multi-sized or interlocking blocks, were primarily intended for young children. This building construction set contains 201 plain wooden blocks and dowels of various sizes and shapes. The blocks have holes through them for attaching the dowels.
- 1905-1915
- Collections - Artifact
Tyro Blocks, "The Eighth Wonder of Toyland," 1905-1915
Early construction sets, made up of multi-sized or interlocking blocks, were primarily intended for young children. This building construction set contains 201 plain wooden blocks and dowels of various sizes and shapes. The blocks have holes through them for attaching the dowels.
- Magic Mirror Game, 1860-1880 - As color printing technologies improved and became more affordable in the second half of the nineteenth century, many book publishers also began printing toys and games. The McLoughlin Bros. publishing firm produced this game called "The Magic Mirror, or Wonderful Transformations." Users placed a small, shiny optical toy atop distorted images to "magically" transform them into clear reflections of people or animals.
- 1860-1880
- Collections - Artifact
Magic Mirror Game, 1860-1880
As color printing technologies improved and became more affordable in the second half of the nineteenth century, many book publishers also began printing toys and games. The McLoughlin Bros. publishing firm produced this game called "The Magic Mirror, or Wonderful Transformations." Users placed a small, shiny optical toy atop distorted images to "magically" transform them into clear reflections of people or animals.
- Junior Spelling and Number Board, 1940-1950 - The Junior Spelling and Number Board challenged users to locate letters, numerals, or symbols on a track, then slide them along to complete phrases in the center. On the other side, users could add, subtract, multiply, and divide with single- and multi-digit numerals. Playful images and words around the outside reinforced learning.
- 1940-1950
- Collections - Artifact
Junior Spelling and Number Board, 1940-1950
The Junior Spelling and Number Board challenged users to locate letters, numerals, or symbols on a track, then slide them along to complete phrases in the center. On the other side, users could add, subtract, multiply, and divide with single- and multi-digit numerals. Playful images and words around the outside reinforced learning.
- Puzzle, "Criss Cross Spelling Slips," 1880-1890 - Using pioneering color printing technology, McLoughlin Brothers became a leading publisher of children's books by about 1870. The company also produced blocks, alphabet cards, games, and puzzles. Children playing "Criss Cross Spelling Strips" used slips to assemble picture puzzles. When complete, letters on the end spelled out phrases related to the scene. As well as spelling puzzle pieces, the strips doubled as stackable building toys.
- 1880-1890
- Collections - Artifact
Puzzle, "Criss Cross Spelling Slips," 1880-1890
Using pioneering color printing technology, McLoughlin Brothers became a leading publisher of children's books by about 1870. The company also produced blocks, alphabet cards, games, and puzzles. Children playing "Criss Cross Spelling Strips" used slips to assemble picture puzzles. When complete, letters on the end spelled out phrases related to the scene. As well as spelling puzzle pieces, the strips doubled as stackable building toys.
- Computer Perfection Game, 1979-1985 - Lakeside released the futuristic-looking Computer Perfection game in 1979. Opening the domed lid activated an on/off switch and initiated a series of beeps and flashes. Players could choose one of four simple games. In the late 1970s, a number of toy companies produce electronic games for a computer-fascinated public. These toys helped usher in more sophisticated electronic gameplay.
- 1979-1985
- Collections - Artifact
Computer Perfection Game, 1979-1985
Lakeside released the futuristic-looking Computer Perfection game in 1979. Opening the domed lid activated an on/off switch and initiated a series of beeps and flashes. Players could choose one of four simple games. In the late 1970s, a number of toy companies produce electronic games for a computer-fascinated public. These toys helped usher in more sophisticated electronic gameplay.