The holiday season is a perfect time to reflect back and remember some of the iconic toys from the past. Recently, “Rhetty from History” compiled a list of Xmas toys that were the most popular toys for Christmas during the 1960s and 1970s. Etch-A-Sketch, known initially as La Cron Magic, etched its way into Santa’s wish list all around the country by 1960.
Many people today feel Flip and Side is dangerous, but this toy skidded into the Christmas wishlist of kids. The Chatter Telephone was created by Ernest Thornell after he spotted his daughter, Tina, dragging the phone all over the house like a puppy. He added wheels to the toy and an assortment of voice-making buttons. Chatter Telephones rang to the top of the Christmas list in 1962.
1963’s Christmas list was heated up with the Easy Bake Oven. Barbie has been ruling the doll world since it was first marketed for girls in 1959. Then Hasbro decided that they needed something for boys. Hence, in 1964 G.I. Joe fought to the top of the Christmas list.
The Game of Operations was invented in 1964 by John Spinello. He was a student at that time. It was initially produced by Milton Bradley in 1965 and became the most crucial toy during Christmas that year. Today, this toy is sold by Hasbro and is still a bestseller. When Johnny Carson played the game Twister on T.V., teens everywhere saw potential fun, and the toy spun around in 1966 and landed at the top of the Christmas list.
Lite Brite was loaded with lots of fun. It started with a backlit grid covered by a sheet of black paper. Colored pegs could be pierced, lighting images of pop culture figures and cartoons brightly lit by the backlight. In 1967, these were a bright addition to the kids’ Christmas list. Hot Wheels rolled onto the Christmas list in 1968. In 1969, Lego stacked it’s way up to the top of Santa’s list. Nerf Ball was another favorite of kids during the 70s Christmas list.
Weebles was a must-have for young kids during the Christmas season of 1971. UNO was highly desired by kids and families in 1972 and has remained popular. Shrinky Dinks were thin sheets of plastic that shrunk down and hardened after being baked inside an oven. So the Christmas of 1973 had a bit of extra baking going on with this toy.
In the early 1970s, the creation of skateboards led to a smoother ride, and this toy skated its way onto many kids’ Christmas lists. Pet Rock became a toy every kid wanted in 1975, and Stretch Armstrong became a favorite for Christmas of 1976. In September 1977, a version of the Atari 2600 became highly coveted during the Christmas season 1977. Star Wars became an instant hit in the same year, and there was a massive demand for Star Wars toys during Christmas. These Christmas toys will surely make you think about your childhood and remember the magical Christmas and the beautiful toys you received.
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