[78-L] Talking string

[Taylor Bowie]

So there was some sort of recorded track, similar to the groove on a 
phonograph record?  And pulling the string made something like a stylus run 
along the track?  Pretty dang cool.

Wish I had one....I'm guessing the ones Bud mentioned were made in the late 
30s?  Not trying to "date" you,  Bud,  just getting a fix on the age of the 
toys!

Taylor B


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Glen Richards" <glenster at 2multiples.com>
To: "78-L Mail List" <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: [78-L] Talking string


> Bud Black wrote:
>> In the admittedly dark ages when I was a child, I can remember an
>> interesting toy that could be purchased at the local five and dime.
>> It was a small, round box with a long piece of string running through
>> it, and if you pulled the string though the box while pressing it to
>> anything servicing as a soundboard (your school desk was perfect) it
>> would speak a popular phrase of the day.  Mine said, "Hello,
>> sweetheart."  My pal had one that said "Wanna Buy A Duck?"  My
>> question is....was the sound on the string, or did the string turn a
>> miniature phonograph inside the unit?  Has anyone ever heard of this
>> forgotten toy? _______________________________________________ 78-L
>> mailing list 78-L at klickitat.78online.com
>> http://klickitat.78online.com/mailman/listinfo/78-l
>>
>
> FWIW, I remember large balloons with a plastic "string" that had a
> spoken phrase molded into it like speed bumps or "wake up strips" on the
> road. You'd run your thumb nail down the "string" at an appropriate
> speed and you'd hear the phrase - the balloon acted as a resonator! Have
> you seen the car ad on TV where the guys are driving on the warning
> strips, listening to a recognizable tune played by the tires? Yeah,
> something like that... :)
>
> Glen
> _______________________________________________
> 78-L mailing list
> 78-L at klickitat.78online.com
> http://klickitat.78online.com/mailman/listinfo/78-l
>