80s - 2/36 - Retroland

Tonka Trucks

Let's face it: There are few ways to demonstrate the invincibility of a toy that are as convincing as having an elephant stand on it. And, as viewers of the highly successful 1974 commercial could readily attest, the imagery merely re-enforced a fact that every boy in America already knew; Tonka Trucks are virtually indestructible. This reputation of durability has made Tonka easily the most recognizable name in toy trucks for over 5 decades. Let’s take a look back.

Dukes of Hazzard

My Bodyguard

4 Comments

The pressures of grade school are traumatic enough for most kids. Throw a bully into the mix, however, and they become far more complicated. Such were the tribulations of a boy named Clifford in the cult-classic film from 1980, My Bodyguard.

Hydrox

8 Comments

The cookie world, as you might imagine, is just a tad competitive, and when it comes to two chocolate wafers embracing a layer of sweet vanilla crème, there has always been a heavyweight and an underdog. We know you are aware of the former, but for the uninitiated, we would like to talk about the latter, and thy name is Hydrox. While their demise can be directly linked to their Nabisco counterpart, they are the cookie of choice of millions of people who, in 2008, demanded their cookie back. Let’s see what all the fuss was about.

TJ Hooker

My Buddy

3 Comments

Not since Jack Jones sang the opening to The Love Boat has a theme song been as exuberantly performed as the one that accompanied My Buddy. Of course, the kid that sang this composition had plenty to be enthusiastic about – My Buddy was a pretty unique playtime pal. A departure from conventional marketing wisdom, this was a doll marketed for male children.

Hot Wheels

1 Comment

In the world of die-cast toy cars, attention to detail is appreciated, but what kids really crave is speed. And for over forty years, Mattel's Hot Wheels have delivered the goods, proclaiming themselves not only fast, but the fastest. As such, they have remained enormously popular (and collectable) ever since they were first introduced in 1968.

Woodsy Owl

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He sports a hat reminiscent of Robin Hood, his matching pants as forest green as his message. He is an official spokes-owl for the National Forest Service and his name is Woodsy. And, for the last four decades, he has probably done more to spread the word about environmentalism than even Al Gore.

Soul Train

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Ever since its debut in 1952, fans of American pop music could tune in weekly to American Bandstand and keep themselves current on all of the latest artists and trends. But it would be almost two decades later before fans of rhythm and blues were given their own weekly outlet. They would forever owe their thanks to a Chicago DJ named Don Cornelius, the creator of Soul Train, for letting their voices be heard. Soul Train showcased all of the up-and-coming artists of the genre, put a spotlight on all the current dance moves, and, very quickly, became an enduring hit.

Etch-A-Sketch

2 Comments

Perhaps one of the most popular drawing toys ever conceived, the Etch-A-Sketch has been testing the imagination and dexterity of millions of artists for the past fifty years with its two little white knobs. Master their operation and you can create a masterpiece. Make a little mistake, and you will literally have to shake it off and start over. Let's take a look back at the history of this classic toy.