The decade of the 1960’s brought many new gadgets, tools, and toys into stores across America and around the world. Some of these products still exist today in their original form or with a modern update. All images are courtesy of Pinterest.
Kodak Instamatic 104 Camera
The tradition of ground-breaking technology continued with Kodak’s newest camera in 1963.
Barbie Doll
The #1 doll of the decade arrived in 1959, and it made Mattel a fortune. The doll reflected the mod-inspired fashion style of the 1960’s.
Uncle Milton’s Ant Farm
This popular “formicarium” or ant farm is still produced today, and it was one of the top sellers during the decade.
Sunbeam Mixmaster
This innovative kitchen device was the best-selling mixer of the decade. I can still remember my Grandmother making her famous whipped potatoes with this mixer, and my Mother owned one as well.
Etch-a-Sketch
This popular toy was invented in 1960 by French toymaker Andre Cassagnes, and later it was sold in America through the Ohio Art Company.
West Bend Flavo-Matic
Long before drip coffee brewing machines, the good ol’ percolator brewed America’s coffee throughout the decade and beyond.
Chatty Cathy
This doll was the second most popular in North America (first sold in 1959). When pulling Cathy’s string, she was capable of saying one of eleven phrases.
I hope you enjoyed a journey back in time. I imagine some of you used one or more of these products. Do you have any other gadgets or toys from the 60’s that you remember?
Big Sky Buckeye 
I loved my Etch-a-Sketch.
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My brothers and I finally wore out the one we had.
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Mine, too, but I think it’s still in my parents’ toy closet.
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I remember these… from early childhood! Thanks for the time-travel journey!
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Thanks Lisa. It is an enjoyable journey to be a time traveler . . . from my desk!
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those were fun to look at. we had an etch-a-sketch that kept me busy for hours. and I’m sure my sisters had Barbie, while I had some GI Joe stuff… And I always wanted an ant farm, but never had one…
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Jim, I appreciate you sharing some memories. My brothers and I wore out the Etch-a-Sketch we had. I never had a GI Joe or an ant farm. With my Dad being an athlete in college and later coaching, we seemed to have an unlimited supply of footballs, basketballs, and baseballs.
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I remember spending lots of time playing cards and with play-doh…
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I wonder how many people even buy a camera anymore as the cameras in iphones are so good.
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Great point! Technology certainly has changed how we capture memories.
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Very nice and interesting post
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Pat, I appreciate you reading and sharing your kind words. May the week ahead be filled with God’s spirit.
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I love love nostalgia and the artifacts that call its warmth to mind. A very beautiful post. I can imagine too, that collecting this information and its research was no easy task. Thank you for starting my day with a big smile. Blessings 👍😊💃
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Thank you Suzette. I still enjoy the research side of writing so this was a joyful experience. It is also good for me to take a break from writing poetry and short stories once in awhile.
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Change is as good as rest, yes.
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What a journey down memory lane! Thanks! 🙂
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Susan, I appreciate you reading and joining in this look back in time. May the coming week be filled with God’s blessings and encouragement.
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Thank you for this window into the 60s; I think my generation has a cultural nostalgia for things 60s!
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Jim, I appreciate your thoughts. It is an enjoyable journey for me to go back in time to my childhood with this post. Times have certainly changed when it comes to gadgets and toys.
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I enjoyed this memory lane vicariously
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Oh, the Etch-a-Sketch! I didn’t come along until the 70’s but I had one! The toys I remember the most are the Etch-a-Sketch, the SpiroGraph, and the Slinky! 😀
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Wonderful Cherie! I can remember the Slinky and the SpiroGraph. The Slinky commercials hold precious memories. I can almost sing the song . . . with a few mistakes.
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I know right! I remember the commercials too! Fond memories!
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It was great to see the toy that gave me my nick name Chatty Cathy! Many thank!
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Cathy, your words are a welcome addition to this post. We all have precious memories such as yours. God’s peace!
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