Wooly Willy - Flash Back Friday
So you might not know this toy from the name, but I bet that checking out this image will give you some flashbacks...
He has a "Magnetic Personality" don't you think?
Here's some information on Mr. Wolly Willy from wikipedia:
The brothers Donald and James Herzog developed Wooly Willy while working in the Smethport Specialty Company, their father's toy production company, in Smethport, Pennsylvania, United States. The company produced tops, horseshoe-shaped magnets, and other toys until the vacuum forming devices of the 1940s and 1950s allowed the company to manufacture air-tight containers of transparent plastic. Such containers kept Wooly Willy's metal filings from leaking out and moisture that would rust the metal from leaking in. The artwork for the first Wooly Willy was created by artist Leonard Mackowsk. Broadfield Toy Co., Inc., of Hempstead, New York, United States created a similar toy called Whiskers in 1925.
Priced at US$0.29, Wooly Willy was successfully launched on the market in 1955 A buyer for G. C. Murphy dime store chain initially purchased six dozen of the toy and expected not to sell them for a year. The buyer called Herzog just two days later and ordered a thousand dozen for nationwide distribution F. W. Woolworth Company also distributed the toy. More than 75 million Wooly Willies have been sold.
As I have said before, and I'll say again, sometimes the simplistic toys are the most fun and have the best longevity in the market.
I couldn't find a commercial but here is some fun animation that shows you how Wooly Willy works if you haven't ever played with one.
Have a great weekend!
--Laura M.
Ross Lucchetti on February 27, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Thanks for the article, I grew up in Smethport, Pa. and am familiar with the Toy Factory. It is great to see it on Instapundit
Bunyip on February 27, 2010 at 01:52 PM
There is no hope for the West. Judging by the panel on the right, even Wooly Willy has become a jihadi!
JoeInVegas on February 27, 2010 at 09:52 PM
Wow. I remember this being a stocking stuffer as a little kid back in the 60's...
Miami Web Design on May 07, 2011 at 05:48 PM
I didn't know this toy, but, it look funny and hilarious, nice post, you gave me a great idea for christmas presents
logo design on May 31, 2011 at 12:20 AM
I think is the best part, do it for my own. By the way, thanks for posting this, was very useful.
pharmacy on September 12, 2011 at 11:16 AM
I enjoyed following the whole entry, I always thought one of the main things to count when you write a blog is learning how to complement the ideas with images, that's exploiting at the maximum the possibilities of a ciber-space! Good work on this entry!