[78-L] Talking string

[Michael Biel]

From: "Taylor Bowie" <bowiebks at isomedia.com>
> 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.

No, it was not a groove, the undulations were across the full width of
the strip which was about 1/8-inch wide.  You would press a thumbnail
along it, not a stylus.  

> 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

The one I have was sent out by the lumberyard around 1973.  I've seen it
in catalogs for advertising specialties in later years.  They might
still be making them!

Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com  


----- 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
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> 

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