Fad Toys & Crazes

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Date:

Instructions: Test your memory of the must-have fad toys and overnight crazes that swept across America — from the Hula Hoop to the Pet Rock!

1.
Which toy company introduced the Hula Hoop to the American public in 1958?
A
Mattel
B
Wham-O
C
Hasbro
D
Kenner
2.
The Slinky was invented by a naval engineer who accidentally discovered its bouncing spring action. What was his name?
A
Edwin Land
B
Richard James
C
Art Fry
D
Walter Morrison
3.
Silly Putty was originally created during World War II as a substitute for which scarce material?
A
Aluminum
B
Rubber
C
Nylon
D
Glass
4.
What fun trick could children do with Silly Putty and a newspaper comic strip?
A
Make it glow in the dark
B
Copy the printed image onto the putty
C
Turn it into a bouncing ball
D
Change its color
5.
The Frisbee flying disc grew out of which unexpected object that college students had been tossing for fun?
A
Tin can lids
B
Pie tins from the Frisbie Pie Company
C
Hubcaps from old cars
D
Wooden barrel tops
6.
In which year did the Pet Rock craze sweep America, making inventor Gary Dahl a millionaire almost overnight?
A
1968
B
1971
C
1975
D
1979
7.
Mood rings, the wildly popular jewelry of the 1970s, changed color based on what?
A
The time of day
B
The wearer's body temperature
C
Exposure to sunlight
D
The air humidity
8.
The yo-yo was popularized as a nationwide craze in the United States largely thanks to which company, starting in the late 1920s and again booming in the 1960s?
A
Duncan
B
Wham-O
C
Marx Toys
D
Remco
9.
The Etch A Sketch, the beloved drawing toy with the red frame and two white knobs, was invented in which country before being licensed to the Ohio Art Company?
A
Japan
B
France
C
Germany
D
Canada
10.
Which iconic toy that surged in popularity featured a plastic ball with a 20-sided die floating in dark liquid that would reveal a fortune when turned over?
A
The Ouija Board
B
The Magic 8-Ball
C
The Crystal Ball Game
D
The Fortune Spinner
11.
The Hula Hoop craze of 1958 was so enormous that about how many hoops had been sold within the first six months?
A
About 1 million
B
About 25 million
C
About 250 million
D
About 500 million
12.
The Wacky Wall Walker, the sticky octopus-like toy that "walked" down windows, became a craze in the early 1980s after being imported from Japan. Which company's giveaway helped make it a household name in the United States?
A
Cracker Jack
B
Wheaties
C
Kellogg's cereal
D
McDonald's Happy Meals
13.
The Duncan Toy Company dominated the yo-yo market for decades with which famous advertising slogan?
A
"It's not a toy, it's a way of life"
B
"If it isn't a Duncan, it isn't a yo-yo"
C
"The string's the thing"
D
"Round and round it goes"
14.
The Slinky jingle, one of the most memorable toy commercials in TV history, ended with which famous line?
A
"Everyone loves a Slinky, you gotta get a Slinky!"
B
"It's Slinky, it's Slinky, for fun it's a wonderful toy!"
C
"Walk it, bounce it, Slinky is the one for you!"
D
"Spring into action with everybody's favorite, Slinky!"
15.
Gary Dahl, the inventor of the Pet Rock, included something special in each box along with the rock. What was it?
A
A magnifying glass
B
A training and care manual
C
A small bag of gravel "food"
D
A personalized name certificate

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