What adventurous setting inspired many children's toys? Outer space!

Toys from the 2 decades in which human spaceflight went from science fiction to reality—the 1950s and 1960s—added lights and sound, while Japan's toy manufacturers perfected the small motors that gave their toys much-prized movement.

Colourful examples from 1965 are: (clockwise) Astro 8 flying saucer by Marubishi-Yamazaki, Dan Dare Space Control Radio Station by JL Randall (1961), Moon Explorer by Masudaya, and Moon Rocket rocketship by Matsuya.

Such toys were usually battery powered, though Astro 8 was friction powered via its wheels. Space Control Radio Station had sound—handsets plugged in to the console, which had a Morse-code lever and scroll for decoding. Moon Rocket could simulate a landing; it mechanically set itself upright, opened a door, and then lowered a ramp.

Details are in the image descriptive ALT text.

#Art #Design #child #toy #Japan #UK #space #SpaceRace #moon #rocket #VictoriaAndAlbert #Museum