- Chatter Telephone
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Chatter Telephone
The Chatter Telephone is a pull toy for young children ages two to six. Introduced in 1962 by the Fisher-Price company as the "Talk Back Phone" for infants and children, the Chatter Telephone is a roll along pull toy. It has a smiling face, and when the toy is pulled, it makes a chattering sound and the eyes move up and down. The toy has a rotary dial that rings a bell, and was conceived as a way to teach children how to dial a phone. The original version was made of wood, with polyethylene receiver and cord.[1] In 2000, Fisher-Price changed the rotary dial for a push-button version with lights in an effort to modernize the toy, but consumers complained and the rotary version returned to the market the following year.[2]
From its introduction through the 1970s, the Chatter Telephone was Fisher-Price's best selling product.[3] It has been cited as one of the company's offerings that helped save Fisher Price in the 1990s following a failed attempt to market toys for older children in the late 1980s,[4] and enjoys continuing popularity.[5] It is available both as an authentic reproduction[6] and in a modern form.[7]
Cultural references
In 1985, Fisher-Price offered to donate a Chatter Telephone, Rack A Stack, and Activity Center to NASA for Senator Jake Garn to play with while on the STS-51-D space shuttle mission. This offer was rejected as NASA felt there was insufficient time to test the toys for safety.[8]
In 2003, the Chatter Telephone was listed as one of the 100 most memorable toys of the 20th century by the Toy Industry Association.[9]
In 2005, the Chatter Telephone was chosen as one of Dr. Toy's Best Classic Toys.[10]
Chatter Telephone appears in the 2010 animated film Toy Story 3 as a minor character, assisting Woody and his friends in their escape from Sunnyside Daycare. He is voiced by Teddy Newton and speaks with a film noir style.[11]
The Powerpuff hotline somewhat bears a few resemblances to a Chatter Telephone.
The Chatter Telephone influenced a real-life art car created by Howard Davis for his telecommunications company.[12]
References
- ^ "Louis Wiesel: Your Christmas Wond [sic Fisher Price Toys"]. The Tuscaloosa News. 1963-12-05. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7RkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-5oEAAAAIBAJ&dq=fisher-price%20chatter%20telephone&pg=5061%2C966072. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Barnes, Julian (2001-02-10). "Where Did You Go, Raggedy Ann?; Toys in the Age of Electronics". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/10/business/where-did-you-go-raggedy-ann-toys-in-the-age-of-electronics.html?pagewanted=3. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Moss, Meredith (1980-12-09). "Flash is fine but kids still go for classic toys". The Miami News (The Cox News Service). http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=39ElAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XfMFAAAAIBAJ&dq=chatter-telephone&pg=3280%2C2693795. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Germain, David (1992-12-25). "Kids Save the Day for Fisher Price". Gainsville Sun (AP). http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PUAjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZuoDAAAAIBAJ&dq=chatter-telephone&pg=1666%2C8066537. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
- ^ "Retro Toys". WCTV Tallahassee Thomasville Valdosta. 2008-12-28. http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/36800434.html. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ "Fisher Price Chatter Telephone". www.backtobasicstoys.com. http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/item/productid/5761/txt/Fisher_Price_Chatter_Telephone_Toy. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ "Chatter Phone-Fisher Price Toys". http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=product&pid=5663. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ "Space senator's toys must be borrowed". The Spokesman Review. 1985-02-24. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Gw0SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C-8DAAAAIBAJ&dq=chatter-telephone&pg=6745%2C4345729. Retrieved 7 March 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Toy Industry Association Announces Its "Century of Toys List"". All Business (Business Wire). 2003-01-21. http://www.allbusiness.com/manufacturing/miscellaneous-mfg-doll-toy-games-games/5673984-1.html. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ "Dr. Toy's Best Classic Toys, 2005". http://www.drtoy.com/2005_1/winners.html. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Toy Story 3 at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ "The Phone Car". http://www.thephonecar.com/. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
External links
- The official site of Fisher-Price for Chatter Telephone
- HOW TO - Make a "Chatter telephone" - a real phone from a Fisher-Price Chatter Telephone!
Fisher-Price brands Chatter Telephone · Geotrax · Imaginext · Little People · Planet Heroes · Power Wheels · Rescue Heroes · Smart Cycle · View-MasterCategories:- Traditional toys
- Wooden toys
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