Category Archives: Toys

Tangle toy puzzle

Posted on December 29, 2013 by mjwhitekingston

A few days ago I took my four-year old daughter to get a flu shot. As a reward for being brave and not crying (too much) the nurse gave her a puzzle-toy called a Tangle(R). Turns out it was patented … Continue reading →

Posted in Copyright, Tangle, Toys | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday, Etch A Sketch!

Posted on July 28, 2010 by mjwhitekingston

Etch A Sketch, the iconic drawing toy of the 1960s and 1970s, is celebrating its 60th birthday this year. It was invented in the mid 1950s by Andre Cassagnes, an electrician in France. Lacking funds to patent his invention, Mr … Continue reading →

Posted in Etch A Sketch, Toys | Leave a comment

A.C. Gilbert – Inventor of the Erector Set and the "man who saved Christmas"

Posted on December 23, 2008 by mjwhitekingston

The other day when I was channel surfing I happened across a movie called The Man Who Saved Christmas, starring Jason Alexander as Alfred C. Gilbert, the inventor of the Erector set, one of the classic American toys of the … Continue reading →

Posted in A.C. Gilbert, Erector Set, Toys | Leave a comment

Betty James, Wife of Slinky Inventor Arnold James , Dies at 90

Posted on November 28, 2008 by mjwhitekingston

Betty James, wife of Richard James, the naval engineer who invented the world-famous Slinky spring toy in 1945, has passed away at the age of 90. Her obit is in the New York Times. Mrs. James named the toy ‘Slinky’. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arnold James, Betty James, Slinky, Toys | 2 Comments

WHAM-O’s 60th Anniversary Kid Inventor Contest

Posted on March 30, 2008 by mjwhitekingston

The new issue of WIPO Magazine has several interesting articles, including one on the 60th anniversary of the WHAM-O toy company. Wham-O is best known for introducing the hula hoop to America in 1958, followed by Frisbee flying discs, Slip … Continue reading →

Posted in Toys, WHAM-O, WIPO | Leave a comment