Toys of yesteryear: The dangers they posed and why they’d never pass today’s safety standards
As we fondly recall our childhood, we often think of the joy and wonder of the toys we played with. However, some of those toys that we once cherished posed considerable risks to our safety and health. This article explores some of the most dangerous toys from the past and how they would fare under today's stringent safety regulations.
Childhood Molds and Molten Lead
One of the more dangerous toys from the past was a set of molds used to create lead soldiers. Children would pour molten lead into these molds, a process that required handling the lead with bare hands. The health risks associated with such a practice are unthinkably high. Imagine the lead that got on our hands and subsequently our food—maybe that's the reason we didn't get lead poisoning as kids
Weighty Dangers: Moon Shoes and Lawn Darts
As I remember the toys of my childhood, two stand out for their sheer inherent lethality. The 1950s “moon shoes,” comprising two heavy steel plates attached to two heavy steel springs, were not only cumbersome but could easily lead to broken ankles or serious hand injuries. Neighbors had lawn darts—giant weighted darts with an 8-inch steel spike. Throwing these darts at a ground target was exciting, but the consequences of a stray dart were cold and real.
Lawn Darts: A Hazard Across America
When I recall this, I still get chills. Countless children were injured by these darts, which could easily land on a person's body or head, causing serious damage. These toys were a demonstration of poor design and oversight that placed children in imminent danger.
Serious Concerns with the Thingmaker and Clackers
The Thingmaker, a plastic toy-making machine, is another example of a dangerous past toy. Children could create various plastic toys using metal molds, liquid plastic (Plastigoop), and a heating unit that became extremely hot. The potential for accidents was high, as the heating unit was touch-sensitive and the Plastigoop could cause burns if mishandled. Yes, it was fun, but one out of every hundred children who played with it could easily be hurt.
Clackers, the foal-shaped noise-makers, were another popular toy in my 5th or 6th grade years. We found any noise fun, but these toys had the potential to cause serious eye injuries. Yes, they are fun, but imagine playing with them and hurting your eye! Thankfully, no one in my circle of friends ended up with a seriously injured eye due to them, but the risk was there.
Clay Pits, BB Guns, and Swimming Lessons
While play areas like the broken-down clay pits were a source of great fun, going there without swimming lessons was a foolhardy act. The pits were never safe, and the fact that my parents forced my siblings and me to take swimming lessons was a wise decision. A BB gun, a tool for destruction, was a gift from my father on one memorable Christmas. BB guns were not toys but weapons, ideally for destroying something or someone.
To conclude, it is clear that the toys of our childhood, while many of us cherished them, posed significant risks to our safety and well-being. Today, such toys would be quickly identified and banned. Children's safety is paramount, and modern safety standards have made many of these once-beloved toys unplayable. But as a reminder, we should always remain vigilant and take precautions when allowing our young ones to play with any toy or household item.