The history of the Lemon Twist (or Footsie) toy fad of the 1970’s

Vintage Lemon Twist toy 1975

Rarely has a toy reemerged over and over again as a hit “new toy” like the Lemon Twist (or Jingle Jump, Footsie, Skip-A-Roo, or Skip It). First introduced in the late 1960’s as the Footsie toy, it became immensely popular for several few years before gradually fading away into obscurity. Then in the mid-1970’s the…

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The history of the Frisbee Flying Disc (1970’s)

Girls throwing a Frisbee disc - Wham-O commercial frame

In the United States, two simultaneous “inventions” of the flying disc occurred on opposite ends of the country while a major tweaking of the disc design and a hearty dose of marketing set off the 1970’s Frisbee craze that lasted for nearly two decades.

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The bizarre Goldfish Swallowing fad of the 1940’s

University of Missouri School of Journalism student Marie Hensen became the first woman to swallow goldfish April 1939

Introduction It began in the 1930’s, a fad so bizarre; some mistakenly believe it to be an urban legend. Goldfish swallowing, where a live goldfish is swallowed, started in mid 1939 and sizzled out a few months later. Despite its short life, the fad secured a firm spot in American’s history of bizarre fads. Lothrop…

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The oddly appealing Pet Rocks fad of the 1970’s

Cover of a pet rock box

Gary said, jokingly, that a “pet” rock would be an ideal pet to own.  He explained that a pet rock did not require feeding, walking, grooming, would not die or become sick and would not be disobedient.  In short, they would be the perfect pet.

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