The Yarn Spinner

  Flowbee                                                                                                       Back in the early 1950s,   comic books were   still around. My Favorite was the Katzenjammer Kids,   although those were hard to find. In the back of the comic, I would always like to look to see what quirky items were being advertised:   X-Ray Glasses: These were   classic comic book ad staples, promising the ability to see through objects, although kids soon found they were   just cardboard with a few colored lenses. A real gip.   Invisible Ink Kits: These kits included pens and special ink that could be used to write secret...

  Mars Lights and Snap Decisions                                                                                                         He stands erect on the back step   gripping the sturdy, metal grab bars with both hands.: It reminds him of climbing the monkey bars as a kid. The fire truck, an   older model with a large bell and mechanical siren, races through the streets of 1930s Chicago. The fireman’s posture is tense and focused. He wants to avoid more back pain. He braces   against the motion of the truck and the wind whipping past his turn-out coat. The truck’s engine roars, and the sound of the siren blares, piercing through the urban din. But Eng...

  Train of Life                                                                                                  In the late stages of World War II, as the battle fronts were constantly shifting, the army   faced a dire situation with a high number of casualties and limited resources. Using a European   railway system became a crucial element in the evacuation and treatment of wounded soldiers. One particularly dramatic episode occurred in Europe during the winter of 1942. Army personnel   were operating a special hospital train that became known as the "Train of Life." This train was tasked with treating and transporting wounded soldiers from the front lines. The winter was...

  Goodbye Mister Potato Head                                                            Twentieth century toys were analogue, using mechanical or simple physical methods to operate.   Toys like wind-up dolls, tops, Lincoln Logs , wooden trains, and simple board games, all functioned without the sophisticated digital display common today. None were more classic than Mister Potato Head. The original version of the toy consisted of various plastic facial features and accessories that kids   could attach to an actual potato allowing them to create their own whimsical characters. It was a very simple toy. Too simple perhaps. In 2020, toy maker Hasbro, Inc., located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island,   “ Made a significant change to the brand's name for a more inclusive and modern approach. The company introduced a new line ...