The spinning top isn't really a 70s or 80s toy, of course. They've been around for donkey's years, but they were still popular when I was a toddler back in the early 70s. To make it work you would simply pump the handle to make the toy spin faster and faster which would then makes it hum louder and louder. I'm sure I remember flashing coloured lights on the one I had, too. As with many toys back in the day, they were made of metal and pretty sturdy. 
Who remembers glueing their fingers together trying to construct an Airfix model?
I don't think I ever completed one of these as I just wasn't patient enough, although I had a friend who had several aeroplanes that he had completed, and he even painted them - geek!
Founded in 1939, Airfix was owned by Humbrol from 1986 until Humbrol's financial collapse on 31 August 2006. As of 2007, Airfix is currently owned by Hornby.
Airfix models still seem to be very popular if the Amazon website is anything to go by, but I can't help imagining there are many anorak-wearing men with beards and sandals buying them!
Today we have the more beautiful Pussycat Dolls, but Cabbage Patch Dolls - what
ugly things they were! A bit like Marmite, you either loved or
hated 'em. So what were they exactly?
They were incredibly ugly dolls (that looked like they had trapped wind) for kids to play with and each one was unique, with it's own hairstyle, clothes and facial features. They even came with an adoption certificate. Over 50 million were sold World-wide.
I actually had one of these in the 70's, but they were still going strong in the 80's, too. The pictures came on a card disc and were rather like the negatives you used to get with your photos using a 35mm camera. The Viewmaster magnified each image and when you looked through the viewer you could see TV-sized images. You would just push the lever on the left to flick through to the next image. The only theme I remember viewing was African wildlife, but I'm pretty sure I had more than just one card disc to view!
This toy was pretty fascinating to me as a child in the 70s. The idea was that you could draw what you wanted on the "magic" screen using the two white knobs and then erase it by shaking it up and down.
The main drawback was that it was virtually impossible to draw a circle or a curve - they always had a jagged look, although this hasn't stopped people from creating some amazing artwork. The other problem was that your nastly little brother would shake the darn thing before you had finished your masterpiece!
Visit the Etch A Sketch page to see some great artwork and further info about this classic toy.
