It’s hard to not get nostalgic around Christmas time. As we get older we begin to reminisce on our childhood around the festive period. The 1970s brought about some interesting toys that had the ability to make or break our Christmas, depending on if Santa brought them or not!
One example of this was the infamous Clackers. These two small heavy balls held together by string emerged by the late 1960s and by the early 1970s, they had become a new phenomenon. They were easy to use. Simply lift the tab where the strings met up and down to allow the spheres to crash off each other.
Improving hand-eye coordination was the original marketing plan for these toys. Wood and metal were occasionally used to make them. However, it was the Clackers made of hard acrylic plastic that proved this to be a very flawed toy design. On impact, they would smash off one another and break up into shrapnel. Banning them didn’t take long.
Generally, clacker balls that won’t shatter can be purchased today. They would certainly make an ideal Christmas present for any kids of the 1970s who had their set taken away from them.
Spirograph is a toy that many young artists still enjoy today. British engineer Denys Fisher developed the toy and released it in 1965. The actual design of the toy and its name has a long history, dating all the way back to 1827.
The device creates intricate geometric designs using markers, pens and precision wheels among others.
Spirograph was first named Toy of the Year in 1967. It won again in 2014, following the brand re-launch worldwide. The latest models include putty to hold the stationary in place instead of using pins.
Stretch Armstrong is another toy that is still available today. This flexible action figure was first introduced in 1976 and contains a latex rubber filled with gelled corn syrup. He could be pulled and bent in any direction without breaking before returning to his normal size.
Seven times his normal size was just how far this figure could reach. Equally, four feet was the maximum length of Strech.
An iconic toy from the 1970s was the set based off of stunt man Evel Knievel. It undoubtedly sold millions after its launch in 1973. However, discontinuing the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle later followed. The toy gave fans an opportunity to recreate the incredible stunts on a smaller scale.
Knievel himself was probably better known for crashes than his successful stunts, but the Stunt Cycle allowed any living room to become a life-or-death arena for this little figure and his motorcycle.
Pet Rock was exactly what it claimed to be. Two googly eyes sat on smooth stones was all that this toy entailed. Even the most laid-back owners could look after them. No feeding or walking was necessary. It proved to be the ideal pet and Christmas present all in one.
Millions of these stones sold after they launched in December 1975 by US advertiser executive Gary Dahl. He had gathered the stones for Pet Rock from a beach in Mexico, near his home in California. Within six months, he became a multimillionaire selling these inanimate stones for $3.95.
What toys do you remember from Christmas in the 1970s? Let us know down in the comments below! Next, check out our list of toys from the 1980s.
