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- Radio Shack Spell 'N Math, circa 1978 - This Spell 'N Math toy -- from Radio Shack's "Play'n Learn" line of portable electronic games -- quizzes children on spelling and math through different pre-programmed games. The keyboard helps familiarize them with the QWERTY layout that is standard on English-language typewriters and computers.
- circa 1978
- Collections - Artifact
Radio Shack Spell 'N Math, circa 1978
This Spell 'N Math toy -- from Radio Shack's "Play'n Learn" line of portable electronic games -- quizzes children on spelling and math through different pre-programmed games. The keyboard helps familiarize them with the QWERTY layout that is standard on English-language typewriters and computers.
- Spill and Spell Dice Game, 1957 - Spill and Spell is competitive. Players take turns spilling fifteen lettered cubes and spelling out words from the upturned letters. Complex scoring requires addition and multiplication skills. The longer the word, the more points, and words that intersect like a crossword puzzle double the score. The first player to earn 300 points wins!
- 1957
- Collections - Artifact
Spill and Spell Dice Game, 1957
Spill and Spell is competitive. Players take turns spilling fifteen lettered cubes and spelling out words from the upturned letters. Complex scoring requires addition and multiplication skills. The longer the word, the more points, and words that intersect like a crossword puzzle double the score. The first player to earn 300 points wins!
- Hill's Spelling Blocks, 1867-1880 - There have always been toys intended to have an "instructive" purpose. Educational toys for young children taught concepts like learning letters and numbers as well as telling time. S.L. Hill was the first manufacturer in the United States to produce blocks in great quantity. The blocks in this set contain numbers, letters, and pictures.
- 1867-1880
- Collections - Artifact
Hill's Spelling Blocks, 1867-1880
There have always been toys intended to have an "instructive" purpose. Educational toys for young children taught concepts like learning letters and numbers as well as telling time. S.L. Hill was the first manufacturer in the United States to produce blocks in great quantity. The blocks in this set contain numbers, letters, and pictures.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Universal Spelling Board Toy, 1886-1890 - Combining learning with play, the Universal Spelling Board, patented in 1886, helped develop motor skills and teach children letters and spelling. It challenged users to locate circular letter tiles on a slotted track, then slide them to complete words in the center.
- 1886-1890
- Collections - Artifact
Universal Spelling Board Toy, 1886-1890
Combining learning with play, the Universal Spelling Board, patented in 1886, helped develop motor skills and teach children letters and spelling. It challenged users to locate circular letter tiles on a slotted track, then slide them to complete words in the center.