Toys From the 50s and 60s: Do You Remember?
Life and times have changed dramatically over the last 50 years. During the fifties and sixties, life was less hectic. Doctors made house calls, homes were smaller, and more and more families owned TV sets. Kids played with sling shots, the slinky, toy guns, and roller skates while TV commercials were fast becoming a high quality marketing tool.
If you were a child growing up in the 50s and 60s you probably remember toys like roller skates with keys worn around your neck on a string, pop guns, or pogo sticks. You will probably remember commercials for toys advertised on TV that excited you, toys you couldn’t wait to try. For those who remember these commercials and especially for those who don’t, here is a glimpse back in time.
The Barbie doll was the first toy to ever be strategically marketed through TV commercials.
Mister Potato Head made his first appearance on store shelves in 1952. About 8 years later he was head of the whole Potato Head family.
Mattel Tommy Burst Submachine Gun. This commercial from the early 1960s would never make it to air time today.
The Hula Hoop craze took off in 1958. Since then there have been Hula Hoop competitions, Hula Hoop parties, and even Hula Hoop-a-thons.
In the early 1960s, Gaylord the Dog was popular too.
Dick Tracy two way radios.
The Roy Rogers Telephone set made it possible to keep in touch.
The swing wing of the 60s. What were the manufacturers thinking!
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User Comments
nobert soloria bermosa
On August 15, 2008 at 5:48 am
very interesting,i remember some of them thru revival,thanks Darlene
Judy Sheldon
On August 15, 2008 at 5:58 am
Darlene, most of my childhood was without tv because my dad thought tvs were sinful and promoted laziness. I remember some of the toys you mentioned though. How many kids play with slinkys now adays? Well put together article. Thanks, Darlene.
Glynis Smy
On August 15, 2008 at 6:45 am
Oh I miss my mr Potato head…forget Barbie I loved Tressie, the doll with the growing hair (you pushed a button on her tummy)
Great memories in your article, thanks Darlene
Hugo LaRosa
On August 15, 2008 at 7:21 am
Yes, Darlene, I remember most of the toys you show on your pictures. TV on my town had not come yet in the early sixties. I was eleven at that time. My parents bought our first family TV in 1968, when we moved to another city. Thank you, it was really a treat for memories.
louie jerome
On August 15, 2008 at 7:37 am
I remeber most of these, Darlene. I never liked dolls very much but hoola hoops and telephones were two of my favourites.
IcyCucky
On August 15, 2008 at 8:16 am
A great collection of toys from the past..I only remember the telephone..
Darlene McFarlane
On August 15, 2008 at 8:39 am
Thank you all for your comments.
nobert, they do bring some of the old toys back occasionally. About 12 years ago they brought back many of the board games and I still see the slinky in stores. It isn’t made from the same material but younger kids still have fun with them.
Judy, I knew many people who thought the same as your dad. In some cases I agree. There are some kids who would split their time between the TV and electronic games or the computer.
Glynis, I remember Tressie. My sister had one and she too loved hers too.
Hugo, our first TV was bought when I was three years old (in the early 50s) The concept was so new to my parents that after it was delivered, mom couldn’t wait to turn it on. The picture rolled but mom didn’t know anything about TVs, she thought that was the way it was supposed to be so she watched it like that. When dad came home from work mom had a terrible headache from watching the rolling picture screen. Dad fixed it with a turn of a dial.
Hi Louie, I never liked dolls much either. I had them but I didn’t play with them. I loved the Hula hoop, roller skates, and bicycle.
Hi Icy, I remember when the telephone came out. I thought it was such an ingenious idea. To be able to talk to someone in the other room was amazing! Now we are into cell phones, computers, and xbox and we just take them for granted.
I had a lot of fun with this article. It sure shows the dramatic changes we have seen.
We’ve some a long way.
Darlene
Alexa Gates
On August 15, 2008 at 8:43 am
those are awesome!
Unofre Pili
On August 15, 2008 at 9:40 am
A very heartwarming and nostalgic article. Even the non-contemporaries will enjoy this IMO.
Chuck S
On August 16, 2008 at 10:17 pm
The only thing I can add is that the hula hoop, GI Joe and all types of small cars and trucks were played with as much as any other toys available in the late ’50s and early ’60s. But it was a stroll down memory lane.
Anne Lyken-Garner
On August 17, 2008 at 11:48 am
I grew up in South America, but still came into contact with some of these toys. An original article.
Lauren Axelrod
On August 17, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Thankfully, my mother kept so many of these toys throughout the years so I had the pleasure of playing with them when I was old enough.
I’m 30 now and I still like Mr. Potato Head. He’s too funny!
valli
On August 18, 2008 at 4:40 am
Thanks Darlene for the great collection of toys from the past.
Karen N
On August 18, 2008 at 6:52 am
What a fun look at the past!
That swing wing was one strange toy:)
Nick Kenney
On August 21, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Wow! Talk about a blast from the past! I had a Gaylord dog and had forgotten all about him until now!
I had a lot of the toys you mentioned…loved them all…
What wonderful memories…thanks so much Darlene!
Darlene McFarlane
On August 21, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Hi, Alexa. I guess all of these toys were way before your time. I’m glad you enjoyed it though.
Unofre, thank you for your comment. It is appreciated very much.
Chuck, thanks for your input. It was a nice stroll gathering information for this one too.
Anne, thanks for your positive feed back.
Valli, your welcomed…
Karen, The Swing Wing WAS strange. If I remember right, it wasn’t on the market long.
Hey, Nick. Gaylord was state of the art at the time. My sister loved him too.
Thank you all for taking time to stop and watch. Most of us can remember at least some of the toys if not all. I am not going to give up any secrets by telling which category I fall under.
Darlene
Kinjal bali
On August 23, 2008 at 4:55 am
Very interesting.. specially the Gaylord dog epi.. very good collection !~
eddiego65
On September 8, 2008 at 5:01 am
Great collection of toys. I never really learned the hula hoop.
Chris Stonecipher
On September 15, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Darlene,
I remember the Tommy Burst machine gun. My brothers and I had GI Joe’s, pogo sticks, roller skates that clipped to your shoes, and stretch armstrong. I enjoyed your article and added you as a Triond friend.
Thanks for sharing the memories.
Chris
Candy
On December 25, 2008 at 8:10 am
Does anybody know the name of the toy that was like a frisbee and you twirled it on a stick? It’s driving me nuts !! I loved that toy.
Mr Ghaz
On January 10, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Excellent! Very attractive and informative article..must read.I really enjoy reading your work….You’re my good gurus!
Darlene McFarlane
On January 11, 2009 at 9:50 am
Mr Ghaz, thank you for your flattering comment.
Sandy
On February 11, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Candy, I also count the “frisbee on a stick” as one of my favorites. I’m not positive, but I think it was called a “Whirly-Twirl” and probably was made by Wham-O like the Frisbee and Hula Hoop.
Flu-Bird
On June 29, 2009 at 1:44 am
Both me and my sister had MR AND MRS POTATOHEAD eith a body and there was also a MRS CARROTHEAD as well and had one of the origional GI JOE
Sal
On October 12, 2009 at 10:36 am
Does anyone remember a toy back in the 60’s, the toy had an coffee maker type hot plate covered with a clear dome. Inside the dome you would place a wax square shaped like a starburst inside and lock the dome then turn up the heat and watch the wax square grow into a dinasaur or other creature. I am trying to remember the name. PLeae help. lol
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