From the Golden Age of Dangerous Toys!

Well, most of us survived!

I grew up in a wonderful time.  No, we didn’t have smart phones or video games, or even the internet.  And yes, we drank from garden hoses, rode in the back of pickups, never wore seat belts, yadda yadda yadda.  But we had some great toys!  Oh sure, some were “hazardous” or “dangerous” or potentially even “deadly”. (Jarts anyone?) 

I had several toys that would fit in one or more of these categories.  One of the coolest and weirdest of these was the Mattel Strange Change Machine!  

"Create 'Em! Crush Em! Create 'Em!" 

This wonderful device really lived up to its name!  The way it worked (without getting too scientific on you), the toy would heat to a finger-blistering temperature, in order to soften a plastic square that would transform into a monster or dinosaur of some sort. 

Looked like Starburst candy...Tasted like science!

I'm melting, melting...

When you were done, and this was really the best part, you would heat the plastic creatures again until they were squishy and you’d stuff them in the “compressor” and smash them back into squares with the Mattel logo restamped on the side! Hey, I'm tellin' ya, it was fun!

Watch and learn:

This was an amazing toy, and about 10 years ago I found my old one in my parent’s attic. It was in pretty good shape, and to my surprise, it still worked! They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Green volcano shaped packing material was part of the toy!

This toy was eventually discontinued due to “safety concerns”, and I did get a few minor burns on my fingers from it. But I feel like those minor burns were like little life lessons for me and other kids, like: “don’t touch hot metal or melted plastic”, or “don’t put your fingers, toes or tongue in the “compressor” to see if it leaves a Mattel logo”, basically “don’t be stupid!”.  

I guess sometimes you can learn more by taking a few risks.  You know, now that I think about it, this was really kind of an educational toy.  And I loved it!

Here's a great website that takes a lighthearted look back on all the dangerous toys from the last century! 

So, what did you get? - DCB
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I dropped a hard-back edition of "A Christmas Carol" on my toe.

It hurt like the Dickens.