If a child of 1910 could glance at today’s toys, he or she would likely be confused by the endless games consoles, gadgets and TV-inspired toys. Back in the early twentieth century, the teddy bear was the most popular toy, followed by train sets and construction-themed toys. There was not an electronic device in sight!
However, you can see definite themes running through the popular toys of the past 100 years. For example, although the construction-based toys faded from fashion for a while, in the 1980s Lego became a must-have toy. And the board game shot to the top of wish-lists in the 1930s and 1940s, and experienced another surge in the 1970s – and even today, although replaced in many homes by the computer game, board games are still wheeled out when the family gets together for the festive season!
Dolls continue to be popular too, with the Bratz Dolls of 2000 following the success of the first Barbie in the 1950s. Similarly, boys still have action figures on their Christmas lists, perhaps changed in name from GI Joe to Power Rangers but fundamentally the same.
The computer marks the big change, though. From the first video game in the 1970s to nowadays, games consoles have soared in popularity. This Christmas, a console or handheld device is sure to be on most children’s wish-list.
source: cashgenerator
From Teddy Bears to Technology, The Top 50 Christmas Toys For The Past 100 Years
Star Wars Imperial AT-AT Walker Bookends. And Other Star Wars Stuff For The Holidays.
Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back AT-AT Bookends
• Amazing high-quality bookends from Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
• The Imperial AT-AT Walker has been rendered and sculpted beautifully.
• Measures over 8 3/4-inches tall
Bring home the terrifying metal behemoths of Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Cast in high-quality polystone and then hand-painted, each set of Star Wars AT-AT Bookends is numbered and comes complete with a matching limited edition certificate of authenticity. Whether they're holding up an assortment of media or on display proudly by themselves, these collectible bookends are sure to add enjoyment to any home or office.
above: Stills of the Imperial AT-AT Walkers in Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back
First seen on screen at the Battle of Hoth, the feared AT-AT is the primary assault vehicle of the Galactic Empire for large-scale ground warfare. Tasked with destroying the Rebel's shield generator, the Imperial AT-AT Walkers completed their objective with ruthless efficiency, laying waste to many Rebel soldiers, vehicles, and installations in the process.
Coming in June 2013
Pre-Order now here and they'll deliver in June 2013 (estimated date / subject to change).
Price: $224.99
Looking for Star Wars themed gifts for the holidays? Here's a link to literally hundreds of items from slippers and robes to board games and piggy banks. Star wars collectibles, plush, miniatures, barware and co-branded items from Hasbro, Lego, Angry Birds and more:
Tons of Star Wars Stuff
Jason Freeny Launches His First Mass Marketed Designer Toys: CAPSLS
One minute you're an unknown artist working on a quirky new project; the next you’re being named Clutter Magazine’s Breakthrough Artist of 2011. Suddenly you've got an army of avid Facebook fans following your every move and your pieces are selling for $10,000 each. So where do you go from there?
For Jason Freeny, who made his name by dissecting toys, the answer was fairly obvious. This week Freeny launched his very own line of designer toys; CAPSLs.
above: Freeny began designing his CAPSLs way back in 2009
CAPSLs are super-durable, interactive keychains with pocket-sized personality and just enough space to store your smallest goodies, like candies, mints, “prescriptions”-- whatever it is that keeps you going.
“For my first line of designer toys, I wanted to add function” Freeny says. “ Everything else out there is all about form, but CAPSLs are actually useful too. And I wanted to add a 4th dimension, since so much of what I do focuses on what’s inside; CAPSLs let you go inside and actually use that space to store things.”
The first series of CAPSLs features 12 original designs ranging from sweet (Flower Bomb) to zany (Frog Squid). Tops and bottoms create an airtight seal, and they’re interchangeable, so you can mix and match with more than 100 combinations.
Artist Jason Freeny Shows Us Once Again; It's What's Inside That Counts
CAPSLs (series one) includes: • 3 Eyed Squid • 40 Watt • Bones & Band-Aids • Brain Monster • Daily Dose • Flower Bomb • Frog Squid • Happy Pill • Frog Squid • Peace Bomb • Shark Bomb • Spray Bomb • Squid Monster • Medicine Man (limited edition 300 available)
above: the Medicine Man CAPSL is limited to 300 editions
FCTRY/Jailbreak Collective: Based in Brooklyn, FCTRY is an independent product design company specializing in creative applications of mass production.
In addition to the original 12, several special limited edition CAPSLs will be released over the next few weeks.
Buy CAPSLs
The Meth Lab From TV's Breaking Bad Is Impressively Reconstructed In Legos.
above: the Lego version of the Meth Lab in Breaking Bad; below: the tv show's Meth Lab
A crafty brick builder has recreated the Meth lab from the TV drama Breaking Bad, complete with minifigs.
The Lego version of the Meth Lab:
io9 reports "If you've ever wondered what the taut methamphetamine drama Breaking Bad would look like as an innocent plastic brick diorama, ponder no longer. Redditor GaryIsYouDotCom recently posted his friend's reconstruction of the show's state-of-the-art clandestine drug lab.
Minifigs representing the actors:
Actors Bryan Cranston (Walter White) and David Costabile (Gale Boetticher) in Breaking Bad:
There's no laundromat above it, but there are recreations of Gale's coffee machine, Walt's pure blue crystal meth, chicken merchant Gustavo Fring, and that episode where Walter goes bonkers trying to kill the fly. Blast some TV on the Radio while you ogle this, and then go into the bathroom and practice your Heisenberg face.
a few side-by-sides for you that I constructed:
images courtesy of AMC and imgur
Dollar Store Animals. A Series by Artist and Art Director Doug Pederson.
Minneapolis based artist and art director Doug Pederson, whose futureglyphs recently graced the cover of this year’s Communication Arts Typography Annual, dabbles in other mediums as well. One of his projects, Dollar Store Animals, combines miniature plastic animals with melted crayons for a surprisingly beautiful result.
Signed and numbered prints of these Dollar Store Animals are available for purchase. Just contact Doug here.
Be sure to see all of Doug Pederson's work at his website
