Top 10 banned toys
Here are a few toys you will definitely NOT find under the Christmas tree.
As we begin looking at shopping for the little darlings this year, let’s take a moment to pay tribute to the toys that never made it into Santa’s sack. They may have been toxic, they may have been horribly politically incorrect, and some may even have been banned due to sexual content (?) – whatever the reason, here they are, our top ten banned toys
- Spanish Barbie
In 1999, fans of this popular fashion doll were very upset that she was wearing a matador’s costume – usually worn when bulls are ritually killed in a bullring as a public spectacle.
- Air Pirates Comic
The underground comic, Air Pirates Funnies, was created by a group of San Francisco based cartoonists in 1971. The comic portrayed Disney characters engaging in VERY adult behavior. Disney sued, alleging copyright infringement.
- Snacktime Kid Cabbage Patch Doll
The Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kids featured battery-powered mechanical jaws – and boasted ‘real chewing action’ this toy kept chewing, even when kids got their hair and fingers caught in the doll’s mouth. Mattel recalled them in 1997.
- Clackers
Remember these? Clackers, Knockers or Click Clacks, consisted of two large acrylic balls, which hung on either end of a heavy string. The two balls would swing apart and together, making the loud clacking noise that gave the toy its name. If swung too hard, the acrylic balls would shatter, sending flying shrapnel everywhere. Clackers were officially banned in 1985.
- Belt Buckle Gun
In 1959, Mattel introduced the ‘Belt Buckle Derringer Toy Gun’. To unsuspecting bad guys, this unique belt buckle looked harmless – but when the user extended his stomach, the gun swung out, firing a toy bullet and a cap. Unfortunately, the caps could be accidentally ignited by friction and cause serious burns (you think?).
- Sky Dancers
Sky Dancers were a Barbie inspired helicopter-like flying toy. Placed on a mechanical base, once the cord was pulled, the murderous Sky Dancer would twirl high into the sky. The hard plastic propeller-like wings flew rapidly in unpredictable directions, hitting users and causing temporary blindness, broken teeth, face lacerations, and one mild concussion.
- Battlestar Galactica Missile Launcher
Unfortunately the Red missiles (about 1 1/4″ long) created for the 1979 Battlestar Galactica toys, were just about the perfect size to lodge in a child’s throat. Before the missile recall, Mattel added stickers to the toys warning ‘do not put or fire red missiles into mouth or towards face’. Because most toddlers cannot read, it never worked very well and the toys were ultimately banned.
- Yo-Yo Water
Balls Illinois, New Jersey and New York have all banned the Yo-Yo Water ball. The Yo-Yo Water ball is made of flammable diesel hydrocarbons. The stretchy, sticky cord can wrap around a child’s neck, causing strangulation.
- Lawn Darts
Heavily weighted and solid metal, Lawn Darts can pierce whatever they strike! Lawn darts have been responsible for over 7,000 injuries. On December 19, 1988, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned lawn darts from sale in the United States. Better late than never?
- Atomic Energy Laboratory
In 1951, A.C. Gilbert, inventor of the ERECTOR set, released the U-238 Atomic Energy Lab. Using real radioactive materials, one could witness mist trails created by particles of ionizing radiation. The set included four Uranium-bearing ore samples, and originally sold for $49.50. Yes, someone actually signed this off, and thought it would be a great idea…
- Source: com
