fads - 2/2 - Retroland

Rubik’s Cube

Few toys are as equally fascinating and frustrating as the Rubik's Cube. They lure the unsuspecting populace in with their bright colors and mysterious mechanical workings, never giving a hint of the addictive properties just waiting to be unleashed with a few simple twists and turns. Through much of the 80s, the world twisted and turned, their minds in overdrive as they tried to solve the complex computations that once again right the cube to its original form - an aligned form that some of us only saw on the first day we opened the package, then never again. Today, we take a look back at this iconic toy that the world worked so tirelessly to solve.

Hula Hoops

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Fads are not an easy thing to explain, especially to future generations. Take a kid who is accustomed to being surrounded by computers and gaming consoles and try to get them to understand the impact that a simple ring of plastic could have on the populace and you are likely to be met with the blankest of stares. They might even accuse you of making the story up. But truth is often stranger than fiction and the truth is, this single ring of plastic known as the Hula Hoop was something that, at one time, was the most coveted toy in existence. Its popularity transcended both gender and age and got a whole generation to gyrate their hips (and other body parts) with reckless abandon. Let's go back in time.

Pop-a-Point Pencils

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Kids in the 1980s kept it sharp with stacking “pop-a-point” pencils, one of the biggest fads-- outside of Trapper Keepers and scented markers-- to hit the classrooms of soon-to-be Gen-Xers. Pop-a-point pencils came in a variety of forms, from regular ol’ graphite to colored pencil and crayon versions featuring all the basic colors. Some of them had a clear exterior, some were tinted. Some were glittery, others were opaque. Many a treasured pencil featured favorite characters of the time, from Rainbow Brite to Care Bears and Transformers.

Trolls

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Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Troll Dolls have seemingly been around forever. Modern generations can thank the retro-crazed 90s for the resurgence of a more-brightly hued version of the little lucky toys, while older generations can thank Thomas Dam, a Danish woodcutter who, as legend has it, simply didn’t have enough money to buy his lovely daughter a toy. Rather than put on a sad face over the whole matter, Dam delved into Nordic fairy tales for a bit of inspiration and carved up a troll doll for his daughter. She loved it, dressed it up and showed it off to anyone that might take a look. Slowly but surely the ugly little doll won a spot within the hearts of the townspeople and thus, the beginning of the Troll Doll.