Sam!! This site is awesome!! I thought I was the only 40+ knucklehead out there who waxed nostalgic about the cool games we had as kids! Just this weekend I was talking about Aurora's Skittle Bowl with my older brother! We played that thing to death when we were kids! I recently purchased a Vertibird chopper like thing and played with it for hours!My missus thought I'd lost my mind!! Reading your site I also came across the mini power tools that I'd had as a kid! I'd completely forgotten about those! This site is really, really cool! Thanks! Does anybody out there rembember "King Oil"? I recall playing that to death as a kid, too!! AWM
Adam W. Masters <adamwmasters@aol.com>
Coral Springs, FL USA - Monday, December 31, 2007 at 12:21:06 (MST)
Oh wow!!! I was browsing around to see if I could find someone who still sold electronic project kits. I found your site and, lo-an-behold, you have the very same Science Fair 100-in-1 kit I had as a kid. Oh, what memoreies!!!!! I played with it for years!!! I don't know what happened to it. Radios were my favourite projects. I always wanted to make one without an antenna or earth connection. I still have the manual for it somewhere, a big A3-sized book if I remember. I must dig it out for old times' sake. Thanks for the time-travel adventure.
John Davies <jkj.davies@ntlworld.com>
Blackpool, Lancs. UK - Friday, December 28, 2007 at 11:45:08 (MST)
Great memories, just reading these stories. I am seeking a Weather Station toy that I had in the 60's. It was grey plastic, snapped together, had wind speed-direction capabilities, detached rain gauge, an "hour glass" timer on one side to time wind speed reading. As I remember it had an oval shape with a handle coming out the bottom, and a dial on the front driven by the wind speed cups on top. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Tim
Tim <tshoe103@peoplepc.com>
Chillicothe, oh USA - Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at 15:55:52 (MST)
It was so cool to find the pic you have of the Sonic-Blaster you have on the entry in stories2003 I am curios that you don't have it on your page for AgentZeroM. It was the coolest toy I ever had, My parents turned it in when it was outlawed (at least in Fresno CA), I was crushed. Thanks for the pic.
Jesse <netjess@yahoo.com>
Guthrie, OK USA - Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 09:31:16 (MST)(Since the Toybox is my actual toy collection, not just pictures of toys I've grabbed off the web, I can't add the Sonic Blaster until I get one! Please feel free to send any spares you have and I'll gladly put the way-cool toy on the site. - Sam)
I loved your pictures of the Hasbro Snowman Sno-Cone maker. My mother found mine in a closet and sent it to me. He's a little worn after 40+ years and is missing the bottles and spoon but he's still neat. Thanks fo the photos.
Sis <cbgilbert@aol.com>
Coastal , SC USA - Saturday, December 08, 2007 at 12:25:03 (MST)
Great to find your site. I have had a song in my head the last couple days, a country/western tune, and hands up harry was in there somewhere. I guess way back in the old noodle I am remembering the tv commercial for the game. I was 7 years old at the time, now I have to figure out why it is haunting me after 43 years!
Ted Loveland <arcticcatgo800@yahoo.com>
Wayland, NY USA - Tuesday, December 04, 2007 at 17:52:27 (MST)
Just had to tell you that when I was in 4th grade I listened to my mother talking to the Mattel Toy Company asking for "Hands Up Harry" She was informed that it was no longer made. I thought that she was really going to have trouble making me believe in Santa Clause since the toy can no longer be found anywhere! That Christmas Eve a loud knock on the door and Santa appeared with this large wrapped box! He asked me if a little girl here didn't believe in Santa Clause and I said only if "Hands Up Harry" was in the box he brought. I was 10 yrs old and really believed in Santa all over again. I was in 4th grade. What a great site to look at all these old toys with suck special memories. I wish I could find another and I'm 47 yrs old! Wonderful site! Thank you so much-Maureen
Maureen <ReneeC5000@AOL.COM>
Marietta, GA USA - Sunday, December 02, 2007 at 21:39:23 (MST)
Thanks Sam for "Snap Bowling"! I used to play for hours and beyond. I got "Turkeys"(3 stikes in a row) like crazy and bowled many 200+ games. I forgot I used to be a kid. Thanks Sam for bringing it all back. Strange how as adults we get emotional about the fleeting past....
Dave <BedDeskDav@aol.com>
Altadena, CA USA - Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 21:01:42 (MST)
I received in Christmas 1969 the whole kit of Powermite carpenter tools, the manual jigsaw, table jigsaw, table drill, manual drill, router, sander, etc, work table with manual tolls as hammer, rule, etc. I still heve them all, and I had excellent moments at that time. I made several things as a bird house and a little boat. I don't know why stopped producing it. Regards. Saul Pettersen
Saul Pettersen <pettersensaul@hotmail.com>
Mexico, Mex Mexico - Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 21:04:03 (MST)
Hello Sam ! Thanks for setting up this nostalgic site- I was actually going to part with a late 60's Tonka RV and I was looking for a place to sell through and I found this website and got totally sidetracked. You are thorough and the links to similar toys currently is fantastic! I did have the Pepsi dispenser when I was a kid. Usually full of Kool-aid though. And the Mr. Peanut peanut butter maker - wow, I can still taste the horror. But it was so fun!! Thanks again for the excursion. You've done good work here. - VERN
veronica newbold <vnewbold@embarqmail.com>
greenwood, sc USA - Thursday, November 08, 2007 at 11:12:11 (MST)
Thanks for the site! Many years ago, I gave my son the AM-VHF Monitor kit for Christmas. I helped him built it, it worked, and then it was partly disassembed and put away. Today, I saw the box and decided to play with it - no manual! So, within a minute, I was on your site and got the manual. Thanks - I'll probably put it back together in a day or so.
Mikw <mjshimer@comcast.net>
Edmonds, wa USA - Sunday, November 04, 2007 at 16:23:34 (MST)
Great site, brings back loads of memories. Fantastic effort. I found the game 'Hats off' for 50p at a local car boot sale. All the pieces are there in working order and the box is in near mint condition. Cheers folks, Jag.
Jag betty <jagbetty@gmail.com>
Dundee, Scotland. - Thursday, November 01, 2007 at 09:41:46 (MDT)
Sam, I too would have to say that my "Mattel Power Shop", was deffinetly one of the coolist toys I remember having. I would work along side my Dad in his work shop while he used the big boy toys and I the Mattel Power Shop. I have no idea where mine ended up but I wouldn't be surppised if my parents still have it tucked away somewhere. Great web site. Thanks, Dan Powers
Daniel Powers <danielpowers5768@msn.com>
USA - Friday, October 19, 2007 at 10:27:25 (MDT)
I am looking for one of the vehicles that work with the Camelback Skyway -- I just found it in our attic and I remember how much fun it was as a kid. I have the original box and all the components to build the skyway. Can anyone help me out?? Please br resonable in your price. Contact me at stephk_93012@yahoo.com.
Stephk <stephk_93012@yahoo.com>
Thousand Oaks, Ca USA - Friday, October 12, 2007 at 23:53:04 (MDT)
The [vertibird is the] toy I missed most when it broke. Those flexible joints on the driveshaft were a weak point. Tried for a repair from the distributors but they sent a replacement Batcopter with the inbuilt engine and counterweight. It was a horrible flyer after the vertibird and ended up as scrap. Thirty years later and I've still got the body of the vertibird chopper round here somewhere .
Rob M
UK - Thursday, October 04, 2007 at 11:02:56 (MDT)
HI OVERAGED KIDS, I HAVE FOUND A COMPLETE MILTON BRADLEY GAME IN THE ORGINAL BOX WITH ORGINAL INSTRUCTIONS.....I RESCUED IT FROM A TRASH HEAP. THE GAME IS CALLED " ON TARGET " IT IS FROM 1973 IF ANYONE CAN GIVE ME SOME INFO ON IT I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. BTW.....IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION
mark maxwell <rmmudshark@bellsouth.net>
USA - Monday, October 01, 2007 at 18:58:05 (MDT)
found your site via google i was talkin with a friend and my partner about old games and we ended up talkin about spirograph which brought up alot of old memories good ones which had been locked away for many a year. that evening i began searching the web for more "memories" and found your site. well done love it - thanks for the memory. Garybon
Gary <bonbonben4711@aol.com>
england - Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 21:11:20 (MDT)
Hi Matt, Great web site! I sometimes think back to some of the old games I had like Hey Pa There's a Goat on the Roof, Kabala, Green Ghost and Voodoo Doll Game, and I wish I could share them with my kids. It was cool to see your images of the games and the boxes again! I forgot what they looked like! Thanks for the nice memories! Mary Ann
Mary Ann Ehr <greg007@peoplepc.com>
Menomonee Falls, WI USA - Friday, September 07, 2007 at 16:34:55 (MDT)
My children and I went to yard sales this weekend and bought the Astrolite kit by Hasbro for a quarter. My 13 year old son just loves this set.
Susan Barger
USA - Monday, September 03, 2007 at 18:20:02 (MDT)
Just rescued a Tandy Armatron from the trash heap where I work. Appreciate the scanned instructions, I'm looking to get it back to 100%. It's in good shape, just some gears need realigning. A nice respite from my model trains.
Bob <yeshuagoel@mchsi.com>
FL USA - Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 22:25:17 (MDT)
just purchased a remco coney island penny machine at a yard sale today. had never seen anything like it! was in the original box and unit is intact. bought some batteries and it works! Any idea of the value of toy?
wendy <wendybice@graffiti.net>
fl USA - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 13:14:46 (MDT)
Never knew that the Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Factory was vintage. Saw one at a friends yard sale and picked it up. Thanks for the link to the dough recipe.
Chris <chriskim_95@yahoo.com>
Chantilly, VA USA - Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 08:55:59 (MDT)
I knew the game as Don't break the camel's back too. I found out what the real name was from your site. Thanks, I am going to ebay to look for one now.
Heather <brownesjr@myeastern.com>
Oakdale, CT USA - Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 21:00:22 (MDT)
i found at a yard sale the powermite tool bench with power pack and 3 tools , saw, drill, and jifsaw all working and in good shape - i dont want to sell them but I'd like to know what they are worth - i remember my little brother getting all of them for christmas one year - many moons ago lol
Debbie <bridgett43@yahoo.com>
oshawa, on canada - Thursday, August 09, 2007 at 20:29:11 (MDT)
I started my electronics with RS's "65 in 1" my father brought home while on business in the USA possibly 30 years ago. I spent evenings on it wiring over and over and got stuck to electronics ever since. I still have the kit, too bad the instruction booklet went badly tore apart while moving. I still have a few pages of it though. I think a lot of people out here got stuck with electronics thanks to these kits. Ciao e grazie Oh, almost forgot : to have my real address, remove the underscore and the 3 x's !
Alex <sono_xxxale@virgilio.it>
Genova, Italy - Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 09:24:15 (MDT)
This site is wrong about Booby Trap not being available new anywhere! They should do their research better. The game Booby Trap is currently owned by the company Fundex Games and is sold by them. You can go to their website at fundexgames.com to call and order the game.
Sara
USA - Sunday, July 22, 2007 at 08:26:58 (MDT)
I came across my old "Hands Up Harry" from Christmas 1965 in my parents attic. What a simple toy, yet it kept me occupied for weeks on end. I remember dreaming of that toy for months, and writing to Santa many times to be sure he knew I wanted it.
Jeff <jeff_olson@comcast.net>
Castro Valley, Ca USA - Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 11:04:29 (MDT)
Found your site from a search for American Basic Science Kits after I completed a survey on science influences from curry.edschool.virginia.edu. These kits set me on the path to my career!
Kip Mercure <kipm@aol.com>
Midland, MI USA - Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 13:58:16 (MDT)
thanks so much for the description of hands up harry, which i had briefly as a child. sigh... i invariably ruined everything i had as a kid.
jayboy from randolph massachusetts <jblotcher@hvc.rr.com>
USA - Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 17:49:33 (MDT)
I was telling my son about Incredible Edibles and was hoping against hope they were still out there somewhere. As I read the contents, the tastes and smells all came back to me. Thanks alot.
Bill <wgdgwg@aol.com>
bowie, md USA - Sunday, July 01, 2007 at 19:01:08 (MDT)
Thanks for showcasing Spys a Poppin. I had hours of fun as a kid playing with mine!
Bonnie <bgcfitness@aol.com>
Milford, CT USA - Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 16:18:59 (MDT)
I remember playing Hands Up Harry with my younger uncle. We had such a great time we would pratice our shooting for hours so that we could never miss. Hitting his belt and watching his pants fall always made us giggle. Seeing it brings back great memories thanks
Donna <sbriggs315@aol.com>
New York, NY USA - Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 14:03:23 (MDT)
We were poor when I was a kid, and I had to play with others' cool toys. Recently, I received an original Vac-U-Form as a gift. That led me to buying all sorts of molds on ebay, and even a Mattel Injector, which I'm currenly looking for the instructions for. But, whee! I'm like a kid again! (Love this site!)
Jesse McCann <jleon2001@aol.com>
Los Angeles, CA USA - Saturday, June 09, 2007 at 08:58:46 (MDT)
Thanks for letting me copy an Electronic Detective Case Fact Sheet so my grandkids can play the game that their mom was so enthralled with at age 10. All other parts of our 1979 game are present & accounted for. Storing it without batteries guaranteed that it still works, gun shots and all ! ! ! This game was a real hit with the 10 to 12 year olds in our neighborhood in the late 70's. (and a challenge for the adults, too)
Cathy Fitzgerald
USA - Saturday, June 02, 2007 at 10:35:18 (MDT)
OMG!!!! Hugo, Man of a Thousand Faces! We were stationed in W. Germany (dad was USAF) and my mom ordered him from JC Penny's for me. I played with him FOREVER!!! I wish I still had him.
Meerelda
Lubbock, TX USA - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 13:12:19 (MDT)
OH I just saw your Trace A Graph toy! I had one..but it was purple and had girlie pictures to trace..Little Kiddles comes to mind. I spent hours and hours with that toy and would love to find one for my kids to enjoy. Thanks for helping me figure out the name! None of my friends had this toy :( It was great great great.
Lauri <lauriinnc@gmail.com>
Goldsboro, NC USA - Monday, May 28, 2007 at 13:57:23 (MDT)
Great site! It gave me lots of ideas for games I was still searching for but had forgotten! nice to hear a bit of a review as to how they worked here and there. QUESTION: One game that I was wondering about and didn't see involves small BONGO DRUMS. You would position bongo drums on stands, and using a marble launcher, would have to bounce the marble onto all of the drums. You could also position plastic hoops for the marble to pass through while it bounced off the drums. I remember a commericial for this game, but cannot remember the name of it at all. Lastly, I had a variation / knockoff of Vertibird. This was a completely HANDHELD powerpack with the wires going from that to the helicopter. I thought it was even more fun because you could walk around the house flying it. I would love to know of the names of these toys if anyone knows!
Kevin <kevinkurek001@hotmail.com>
Calgary, AB Canada - Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 14:15:48 (MDT)(The game in question was called Cascade and made by Matchbox. Here is a picture of the toy that I've yet to acquire for my collection. - Sam)
I always thought Radio shack's 'Armatron' was a GREAT toy robot arm, and my recent ebay purchase confirmed this. Some things not mentioned much:The Super Armatron is EXACTLY the same toy, as far as I can tell, seems a later re-issue, perhaps mid/late 80's, and has a gray case, vs. the original white. ALL axes of motion has TWO speeds, an amazing accomplishment;just hold the lever partly over...it is well worth opening up your just to see the mech in the base and the arm, it is insane how it is done! If some functions go 'bump-bump-bump' or 'thrash' as they move, one or more of the small pinion gears have split(I had 3 split on mine, all in the arm) Boring slightly larger holes+some sanding and/or glue and wire ties to hold them together fixed it for me! A great toy!!!
Aaron H. <oofty68@yahoo.com>
woodinville, Wa. USA - Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 23:21:03 (MDT)
A heads up-As of 4/18/2007, The Target Store in Woodinville, WA. still has the 'Command Force Micro Series clones' for $15 each, the controls are sloppy, with the bird tilting a LOT with throttle, and poor motor speed control. But, I might get one to mod it, add a longer cable, etc. Also, the same store has 'Sizzlers!' In an AMAZING box with art that looks SOOOO 70's, and has the same 'gas pump' recharger! An cool re-issue, from 2006?! Fact: I did NOT have a Vertibird or Sizzler when I was young, my cousin did. I was so jealous!
Aaron H. <oofty68@yahoo.com>
Woodinville, WA. USA - Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 22:49:29 (MDT)
I just found your Plasticast set in an online search. I owned one of those and would love to find one again but it appears they no longer make them. What a shame.
Kathy Burchim <kathyburchim@hotmail.com>
Phelps, NY USA - Monday, April 16, 2007 at 20:42:33 (MDT)(To my knowlege they don't make entire kits anymore but the clear resin is still very much available. Here is a craft site that sells the resin, molds, and a couple of idea books. Your local craft store may have stock these items. - Sam)
I just acquired an Incredible Edibles Gross-eries maker (copyright 1994). I find that they no longer make the mixes. Wondering if anyone has a recipe?? Thanks! Rachelleburk@comcast.net
rachelle <rachelleburk@comcast.net>
USA - Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 14:53:49 (MDT)
Astrolite - - I have been trying to remember the name of this fantastic toy for years. My wife thought I was crazy when describing it. Next to my Sizzlers, this was the coolest toy growing up - thanks a lot!!!
Tex <texwil@hotmail.com>
Waukegan, IL USA - Monday, April 02, 2007 at 21:01:50 (MDT)
Your website is great. We bought an old Stay Alive from a school fete today but it had no instructions. We were trying to play it all wrong! Thanks to you we now have the instructions. My kids love it.
sue <kilohana@senet.com.au>
adelaide, SA Australia - Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 03:32:33 (MDT)
A few years ago someone asked about the tiny record player. I had one too (in green). It was called the Mighty Tiny Record Player by Ohio Art!
Suzanne <floridasummers@netzero.com>
USA - Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 16:30:17 (MDT)
I bought the game High gear by mattel made in 1962 . wondering if anyone knows what its worth....thank you email me at Yrrol5@aol.com
lorry <Yrrol5@aol.com>
redding, ca usa - Saturday, March 03, 2007 at 11:04:08 (MST)
Anybody out there have the Yellow Submarine through the cereal box tops, size of a playhouse, with the Beatles on it? Anyone else rememeber it? I feel redeemd now that I have found sticky ball DID exist! Help me out y'all!
Boomer Steph
USA - Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 22:19:47 (MST)
I was going through my dad's attack and came across my 1978 POWER SHOP. I enjoyed this little machine. I brought it home so that my little 5 yr old can have some great memories building little towns as well. This brought back a lot of good memories for me.
Mike <hegemiers@earthlink.net>
Greenville, Ohio USA - Friday, February 23, 2007 at 20:06:18 (MST)
Great site! Lots of memories. My father, Sol Friedman, is the inventor of some of the toys on the site including Johnny Astro. Some other well known toys of his are: Monday Night Football, Baby Party, Formex Seven, Operation Orbit, and Enlarge A Graph. Anyone who has questions or would like to share stories or information is welcome to email me at amf07@hotmail.com. Thanks... Alan
Alan Friedman <amf07@hotmail.com>
Columbus, OH USA - Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 16:40:53 (MST)
Hi big kids, I found my old Electronic detective game and put in batteries thinking it wouldn't work but to does woo hoo!
Lynette
Sydney, NSW Australia - Saturday, February 10, 2007 at 03:06:50 (MST)
I have the same pivot golf game and was wondering how much it was worth
Kenneth Gemzik <kennethgemzik@aol.com>
Pittston, PA USA - Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 10:51:32 (EST)
I actually had a Vrroom Motor Engine (the battery operated kind with the key) you were talking about on your site. Until today, I still had the original key and just gave it to a friend of mine as a gift (guess I'm passing on the sentiment). I LOVED it and I think wore it out but always kept the key to remember it. Great toy for the "motorhead" enthusiast. Haven't seen one in over 40 years...hope you find one some day.
Michele
Laguna Beach, CA USA - Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 00:13:06 (EST)
I had recently purchased a Original 1970 Aurora Skittle Bowl Game for my sister as a Christmas present. She had always talked about playing it as a kid and wished she still had it. Unfortunaltey I wasn't able to get one with the instructions and I was pretty disappointed. Today, which happens to be my sister's birthday, I came across this website and was delighted to find the instructions and now I was able to give them to my sister. It made a extra special birthday present to her and made my day since I had been trying to obtain the instructions for weeks. Thank you so much for making this atainable for people. Very grateful, Sue Gosse
Sue Gosse <tomandsue@bytehead.com>
Sheboygan, WI USA - Friday, January 12, 2007 at 16:04:31 (EST)
big max! WOW..MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I`M 11 AGAIN..i had alot of fun with that toy.One more favorite was my BULLDOG tank, the large one! My brother and i had more fun setting up my lincoln logs and mowing it down like something out of extreme home makeover! I love browsing through E BAY AND FINDING MY TOYS OF OLD..JUST TO SEE THEM AGAIN IS ENOUGH FOE ME. TINKERTOYS TOO..my grandmother wisely had a tube of these and man i had so many fun hours building stuff from them..those were the days..
bruce koehler <brukoe1@aol.com>
trumbull, ct USA - Tuesday, January 02, 2007 at 21:08:07 (EST)
Contact me: Sam Cancilla, sam@samstoybox.com.
