Classic Toys | Step Back in Time | Toys From The 1960s
The 1960s, also known as the Swinging Sixties was a decade of fun, due to the relaxation of the taboos and constraints of previous years,.
The 1960s, also known as the Swinging Sixties was a decade of fun, due to the relaxation of the taboos and constraints of previous years, especially those relating to Sex and drugs and rock and roll.
After experiencing sluggish economic growth in the 1950s, as the after effect of Word War 2, the U.S.A experienced a massive 1960s boom with the economy which rippled around the globe. People born in the early 1960’s are commonly referred to as Baby Boomers due to this economic upturn.
Fun Fact: ‘Baby Boomers’ aren’t just from the early 1960’s like many people believe. The baby boom actually started when husbands and men returned from the war in 1945, leading to a high number of babies being born the following year.
The sixties was known for its peaceful demonstrations of peace and love and the creation of the Hippie sub-culture. One of the biggest demonstrations of mass-love was Woodstock, a three day music festival held on a dairy farm north of New York City in August 1969 which attracted more than 400,000 people spreading love and peace. Rolling Stone magazine listed Woodstock as one of the top 50 moments that changed the history of Rock ‘n’ Roll and was forever immortilised as the summer of love.
The Space Race also dominated the 1960s with the USSR and the USA competing against each other in the realms of space exploration. On the 20th July 1969 Apollo 11 landed on the moon after leaving earth 4 days earlier. Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin had fulfilled President John F Kennedy’s goal of reaching the moon before the 1960s came to a close, even though President John F Kennedy himself was assassinated on the 22nd November 1963 in Dallas, Texas.
Fun Fact: The real winners of the space race were said to be the USSR when they launched the first artificial satellite Sputnik 1 back in 1957.
Muscle cars with huge engines and loud exhausts became extremely popular in the 1960s. In Australia, these muscle cars needed to blow off steam somewhere – so in 1963, the Bathurst 1000, also known as The Great Race was introduced. It was a completely different race to the souped up race we see today with only minor modifications being made to the engines.
Fun Fact: No special harnesses or seatbelts were installed in the cars; they raced in the standard seats that were manufactured with the car. Most racers encountered fabric burns and rashes as they slid around the seat racing around Mount Panorama.
The cars and rules have changed dramatically at Bathurst over the past 50 years but that doesn’t stop hundreds of thousands of people camping out on Mount Panorama for the 4 day event (the city of Bathurst expands its population by 4 times over the duration of the event) with many more tuning in on their TV’s every year to witness who will be the next King of the Mountain.
Once again music was a huge part of the everyday life of most people during the 1960s and in 1964 the cultural phenomenon of the British invasion of music began as The Beatles flew into America. The Beatles were at the forefront of the invasion alongside The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and Herman’s Hermits.
At the start of the decade music changed when the huge ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’ movement came to an abrupt end and novelty pop songs and Motown groups climbed up the music charts. Surf Rock or California Sound also emerged during the early 60s, where the music was based on beach and surf. The Beatles’ rival band, The Beach Boys dominated the surf rock scene after starting out as a garage band, they gained popularity as they made their way up the charts. Their popular songs Good Vibrations and Surfin’ USA among many others are still enjoyed around the world today.
Classic Toys | Spinning Top
The simplest toys are always the best! We can’t help but love our traditional tin spinning tops from Schylling. These wonderful humming tin spinning tops are the perfect size for little hands. Each one features beautifully illustrated carousel graphics and entrances on each spin.
The simplest toys are always the best! We can’t help but love our traditional tin spinning tops from Schylling, and we’re not the only ones!
These wonderful humming tin spinning tops are the perfect size for little hands. Each one features beautifully illustrated carousel graphics and entrances on each spin.
Did you know that the earliest clay spinning top was discovered in 3500 BC - that’s almost six thousand years ago!
A wooden spinning top which was carved circa 1300 BC and was later discovered in King Tut’s tomb was another early example of this simple toy, although Indigenous peoples from around the world have been making spinning tops from fruits, nuts and seeds for thousands of years before this one was created.
Did you know that spinning tops stay upright from an angular momentum; a law that Newton expressed as ‘objects in motion, stay in motion’.
Our Favourite Classic Children's Toys
We love all of our toys; they’re all magical and all bring us so much joy. We’re often asked though to pick our top three faves. After much thought, we realized that our ‘go to’ items are also three of our biggest sellers. These are a few of our favourite things …
We love all of our toys; they’re all magical and all bring us so much joy. We’re often asked though to pick our top three faves. After much thought, we realized that our ‘go to’ items are also three of our biggest and best sellers. These are a few of our favourite things …
The Spinning Top
The simplest toys are always the best! We can’t help but love our traditional tin spinning tops from Schylling. These wonderful humming tin spinning tops are the perfect size for little hands. Each one features beautifully illustrated carousel graphics and entrances on each spin.
Did you know that the earliest clay spinning top was discovered in 3500 BC - that’s almost six thousand years ago!
A wooden spinning top which was carved circa 1300 BC and was later discovered in King Tut’s tomb was another early example of this simple toy, although Indigenous peoples from around the world have been making spinning tops from fruits, nuts and seeds for thousands of years before this one was created.
Did you know that spinning tops stay upright from an angular momentum; a law that Newton expressed as ‘objects in motion, stay in motion’.
The Jacob’s Ladder
Our Jacob’s Ladder is a traditional wood and lace click-clack toy and is a timeless classic, and a perfect edition to any toy collection. The Jacob’s Ladder is the original fidget spinner, perfect for busy hands.
The true origin of this classic toy, which produces visual and kinetic illusion is a mystery, however many believe that the toy finds its origins in China. We do know however that it received its earliest toy review in a 1889 American scientific article, describing the magic behind the mechanics.
In the 1700’s a Japanese polymath constructed one which was called Gennai’s Wondrous Click-clack; a name that is still around today. Another popular variation of this classic toy was an American 1940’s version, which had an indentation for a penny to disappear & re-appear.
Wherever it came from, the Jacob’s ladder is here to stay!
The Kaleidoscope
Amaze the eyes with brilliant colours and patterns with the classic Schylling design. These beautifully illustrated tin kaleidoscopes continue to dazzle all who lay their eyes on them, and little hands always make a beeline for them in store.
The kaleidoscope is thought to have been invented in 1816 by Scottish inventor Sir David Brewster, with its name originating from the Greek words meaning ‘beautiful form watcher’.
Did you know that Sir David Brewster went on to advance lighthouse lens and stereoscope designs.
The visual stimulus provided by the kaleidoscope therapeutically promotes positive joyful emotions and promotes good mental health through colour therapy. We always new that traditional toys were good for you!