On Radio Times this morning, there was a question about a game where players went to continents and picked up items. I remember playing that game, but I can’t remember what it was called.

Have you thought of the name yet?

Hey Don,

Thanks for stopping by! I am glad you enjoyed the show.

I suspect that the game in question is a Parker Brothers game which originally came out in 1933 called “Hendrik Van Loon’s Wide World.” It was reissued in 1957 but with the title shortened to “Wide World” with the subtitle “travel game.” Both games contained metal airplane playing pieces like the ones the caller described.

Play Well!

Hello Tim, I have always had a fascination with “poke your eye out” kinds of toys. Toys that for one reason or another got recalled, banned or faded away because they caused injury to the masses. For instance, I have a cap gun cannon that shoots real cannon balls, Jarts, klackers, Bongo Boards, skateboards, stilts, unicycles, pogo sticks, Snurfers, ECT. Is there a chapter in your book that deals with these sorts of toys?
Thanks, Uncle Tom

Hey Uncle Tom! Do you know Uncle Milton? (Sorry).
No, I do not talk about banned/recalled toys in the book. I thought of doing a “Toys from Hell!” type project covering the ones you mentioned, but the fact that some people got really injured or killed with some of these things prevents me from wanting to make light of them. It’s funny in a twisted sort of way, what an extraordinarily bad idea a product like Jarts was. It’s a wonder we survived our childhoods!

Your inquiry is the second that prods me to tell the Flubber story. Since no one died (a rash and some mild respiratory problems ensued), I think it’s a go. Look for an entry on it on Tuesday.

On the subject of “dangerous” childhood toys: I have a 1923 electric stove that still works - the thermostat goes up to 500 degrees! I also own a lead toy soldier kit from the 1930’s where young boys actually poured molten lead into molds to create their own army. My prize toy, however, is a nearly complete set of one of the oldest “boxes” of Crayola Crayons ever made. It’s actually a wooden tube of 14 crayons dated from 1900-1903. The “tube”, called No. 41, has numbers instead of names for the colors, and the tube proudly states it’s a Gold Medal winner. (Binney & Smith won their first Gold Medal at the 1900 World’s Fair, and placed the Gold Medal seal on all of their products after that). I have 12 of the 14 crayons and 9 of the crayons still have tips! All have their wrappers on the crayons. I think, Mr. Walsh, you need to write another book!!! PS - I’d be glad to share my toys with you!

Tim, I am a fellow inventor/designer and was flattered to read about one of my designs (Mr Potato Head/1980’s version)in your book. It’s nice to know people appreciate the nuances of toy design. I would also like to post a preference for the inclusion of “My Little Pony” in your next book I invented and designed it also while workin at Hasbro in the 80’s. (Though my old boss and his boss’s wife among others all take credit for it.)
Bonnie Zacherle

I just finished reading the Original “The Playmakers.” Absolutely awesome and great insight into the “behind the scene” struggle in making each unforgettable toy reach its audience! I loved it. I also loved the incredible attention to detail in the book design itself. After reading my own personal copy (I had to retrun the overdue library copy)I promptly lifted the dustjacket and found MORE stuff! Too cool! Where is the “questionnaire” you offer to fans to vote on what will go into Timeless Toys 2??? I WANT TO VOTE!

Hey Laura! We’ve postponed the big opinion poll on a second book for now. The next project is a documentary on toy inventors and it has pushed the idea of doing a second book back a bit. Stay tuned!

do you still have the tribond “threezer riddle of the day”?
If so I would like to be on the daily emailing list.