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Quiz about Remembering the 50s American Toys

Remembering the '50s - American Toys Quiz

Can you imagine life without cable tv, the internet or play stations? Toys in the '50s were rather simple and required kids to develop vivid imaginations.

A multiple-choice quiz by rblayer. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
rblayer

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
182,104

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
8903

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 71 (7/10), putter199 (5/10), doh1 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What toy was made popular by Donald F. Duncan? Hint

Pogo stick

Yo-yo

Pickup stick

Skittle

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was a "Fanner fifty"? Hint

Cap pistol

Wagon

Water rocket

Bicycle

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Future mommies could practice their skills on what doll? Hint

Mommie's Angel

My Baby Girl

Sally Dally

Betsy Wetsy

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. "Play-Doh" was non-toxic and less messy than regular modeling clay for young sculptors. For what was it originally designed? Hint

Wallpaper cleaner

Pottery repair

Pie crust

Waterproofing

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Engineers-to-be had several toys available to challenge their talents. Which of the following was not one of them? Hint

Lincoln Logs

Tinker Toys

Build-o-blocks

Erector set

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Question 6 of 10

6. During the 1958 hula hoop craze, Wham-O sold 20 million units in the first six months. What was the retail price? Hint

$1.98

$.99

$.89

$2.49

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. During the 50s many elementary school students' status symbol was the size of his or her box of crayons. What size was the envy of 1958 youngsters? Hint

100

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Question 8 of 10

8. What toy was an indirect result of Japanese aggression? Hint

Frisbee

Water rocket

Cap pistol

Silly putty

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. At least two toys popular in the 1950s required what type of fresh produce? Hint

Cucumber

Lemon

Watermelon

Potato

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. The 1950s drew to a close with an invention in 1959 by Ruth Handler, who named the product after her daughter. What was her daughter's name? Hint

Barbara

Dixie

Wendy

Susan

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What toy was made popular by Donald F. Duncan?

Answer: Yo-yo

While the yo-yo dates back to 500 B.C., Duncan came out with the plastic version in 1955 and created a national craze. The terms "walk the dog" and "rock the cradle" took on whole new meanings as yo-yo enthusiasts invented countless tricks.

2. What was a "Fanner fifty"?

Answer: Cap pistol

No self-respecting young cowboy would be without Mattel's "Fanner fifty" cap pistol. They took a roll of red paper caps, and were silver metal with plastic ivory grips and a brown plastic leather holster.

3. Future mommies could practice their skills on what doll?

Answer: Betsy Wetsy

Betsy was the Ideal Toy Corporation's bestseller for several years. She had a small opening in her mouth where she could be "fed" the contents of a tiny baby bottle. An opening on the other end gave her the "real" baby touch, wet diapers.

4. "Play-Doh" was non-toxic and less messy than regular modeling clay for young sculptors. For what was it originally designed?

Answer: Wallpaper cleaner

Noah W. McVicker and Joseph S. McVicker invented "Play-Doh" in 1956. Joe McVicker became a millionaire before his 27th birthday, and over 700 million pounds of Play-Doh have been sold.

5. Engineers-to-be had several toys available to challenge their talents. Which of the following was not one of them?

Answer: Build-o-blocks

Tinker toys, erector sets and Lincoln Logs all first appeared in the early 1900s. They saw a huge resurgence of popularity after World War II when parents of "baby boomers" became interested in more educational toys for their children. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright's son John Lloyd Wright developed the Lincoln Logs.

6. During the 1958 hula hoop craze, Wham-O sold 20 million units in the first six months. What was the retail price?

Answer: $1.98

Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin were the founders of the Wham-O Company, and are responsible for one of the biggest fads of all time. They got the idea from an Australian visiting California who told them that in his home country, children twirled bamboo hoops around their waists in gym class. Using Marlex, a lightweight but durable plastic recently invented by Phillips Petroleum, Wham-O created the instant craze.

7. During the 50s many elementary school students' status symbol was the size of his or her box of crayons. What size was the envy of 1958 youngsters?

Answer: 64

The 64 Crayola box also had a built in sharpener. In accordance with political correctness, the color 'flesh' was changed to 'peach' in 1962.

8. What toy was an indirect result of Japanese aggression?

Answer: Silly putty

When Japan began to invade the rubber producing countries of the Far East, American industry was asked to develop a synthetic rubber. In an experiment, a scientist in a GE lab combined boric acid and silicone oil. A gooey substance that bounced resulted. No practical use was found until years after the war when it became a bestselling toy.

9. At least two toys popular in the 1950s required what type of fresh produce?

Answer: Potato

Not only did Mr. Potato Head, the first toy to be advertised on television, need a potato, so did a 'spud gun' which used pieces of potato as ammo. In case your mother did not want you wasting food, a piece of styrofoam was also provided for "Mr. Potato Head", but it was just not the same.

10. The 1950s drew to a close with an invention in 1959 by Ruth Handler, who named the product after her daughter. What was her daughter's name?

Answer: Barbara

Ruth called her daughter "Barbie" for short. She also had a son, Ken. Barbie's controversial figure, which if life-sized, would measure 36-18-38, was modified in recent years to reflect a more realistic image of a young woman.

Source: Author rblayer

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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