Dinky Toys
Dinky Toys was the brand name given to a range of die-cast zinc alloy scale model vehicles, traffic lights, and road signs. Summary The models were produced and the brand owned by British toy company Meccano Ltd who made Dinky Toys at their factory in Binns Road, Liverpool, UK between 1934 and 1979. Dinky toys pre-dated other popular British […]
Busy Bodies
You will probably have to be a keen collector or of a certain age to remember these little plastic figures. They were seen as a competitor to what was then Play People. Summary There is very little detailed info out there on Busy Bodies. We think they were created as Play-Big by a German toy company […]
Amstrad PPC512/640
An early laptop? In the 1980’s Amstrad like them or loathe them had a reputation for producing the latest electronic trends at affordable prices. By 1987 Amstrad had ventured from TV’s and consumer electronics into the booming home computer market. The PPC (portable personal computer) models offered computing on the go. Summary Launched in 1987, […]
Sinclair ZX80
This product revolutionised the home computer market here in the UK. Sinclair’s ZX80 was advertised widely as the first home computer for under £100 and if you have one now they are worth good money. Summary The Sinclair ZX80 is a home computer launched on 29th January 1980 by Science of Cambridge Ltd. (later to be better known as Sinclair […]
Denim
Remember the ads? “For the man who must not ask, ever”. Summary The distinctive aftershave first launched in 1976 by Italian company Faberge as “A Fragrance brand designed specifically for men who want a distinct and long lasting fragrance” The original was available as an Aftershave and deodorant Body spray that came in three variants: […]
Ronco
Their ads were often on TV during the 1970’s. Ronco was known for it’s must have gadgets not unlike JML today. Many readers might have forgotten it also had a record label. Summary Ronco was an American company that manufactured and sold a variety of items and devices, most commonly those used in the kitchen. The […]
K-Tel Records
During the 1970’s TV ads for their compilation albums would pop up regularly. K-Tel themselves are a huge company who have had success in many markets over the years but this post looks solely at those famous records. Summary K-Tel released it’s first compilation album “25 Country Hits” in 1966. At the time compilation albums […]
Denys Fisher
A perhaps forgotten brand of toys but you’d be surprised at what they made, particularly their TV tie-ins. Summary Denys Fisher Toys was the company founded by English engineer Denys Fisher who invented the spirograph toy. Fisher left Leeds University to join the family firm, Kingfisher (Lubrication) Ltd. In 1960 he left the firm and set up his […]
Access Credit Card
You couldn’t go anywhere in the 1970’s without seeing the access sign in shops. The ads called it your flexible friend. Summary The Access card was introduced in the United Kingdom by a consortium comprising of National Westminster Bank, Midland Bank (now HSBC UK) and Lloyds Bank. They were later joined by Williams and Glyn’s Bank […]
Bert Weedon
When you think of guitar heroes you automatically go to The Shadows, Jet Harris, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Brian May as they get the lion’s share of Radio air play. Summary Bert Weedon was a regular fixture on BBC Radio and TV during the 1950’s. He played alongside some of music’s greatest performers of […]