| GreatToys& Collectibles |
alivingdog.com |
 |
| Welcome to the
archives at alivingdog.com To browse the boneyard, use the arrows at the bottom of the page. Click below to visit the new robot and toy pages at Zeroidz.com. |
 |
Zeroids and Robotix
 |
 |
 |
The mighty zeroids
were a series of robots in the 'sixties made by Ideal. They only cost
$5 each. There were three main robots in the line: Zintar the silver
explorer (shown here), Zerak the blue destroyer, and Zobor the bronze
transporter. Zogg, the zeroid commander came later, and as James H.
Gillam explains in Space Toys of the '60s, there was a knock off red
zeroid named Zemo. Zeroids ran on Ideal's motoriffic motor, made for
Ideal's line of motoriffic cars. The cars ran on 2 AA batteries and had
a wide variety of bodies that snapped on the chassis. There was also a
boatarific line of changeable body boats. (For more information, see
Gillam's excellent book (which also covers Mattel's Major Matt Mason
line) under robot books.) Following the decline of the great zeroids,
Ideal nevertheless kept the zeroid name for its non-motorized Star Team
line (see index page or click the Retro Toys link under Growing Up in
the Space Age on the alivingdog.com main page. You can also follow
through the robot toy pages.
The left and center pictures show Zintar with the Micronauts Interplanetary Headquarters and a random structure composed of pieces from an incomplete Micronauts building set. These sets were based around a then new invention: the plastic hinge, now regularly seen on flip top shampoo bottles. Popular Science raved about the plastic hinge, and Mego found an ingenious way to use it in this building set. Square pieces are connected with a small square plastic hinge, which can be attached in one of two ways. With the hinge vertical, the two connected panels can swing in relation to each other. Put the hinge horizontally, and it holds the panels rigid. The right picture shows the intrepid zeroid with a space backdrop from a generic space set called U.S. Space Exploration made in China by HingFat. Hint: if you plan to build dioramas for your robots, buy every well-made generic (not a licensed brand name like Star Wars) robot and space toy you can find. They'll be inexpensive, great backdrops and props for your space adventures. Check the dollar store as well as close outs at KB Toys and Toys R Us (generic toys never sell well and generally get marked down, but they're great for photos and dioramas.
The left and center pictures show Zintar with the Micronauts Interplanetary Headquarters and a random structure composed of pieces from an incomplete Micronauts building set. These sets were based around a then new invention: the plastic hinge, now regularly seen on flip top shampoo bottles. Popular Science raved about the plastic hinge, and Mego found an ingenious way to use it in this building set. Square pieces are connected with a small square plastic hinge, which can be attached in one of two ways. With the hinge vertical, the two connected panels can swing in relation to each other. Put the hinge horizontally, and it holds the panels rigid. The right picture shows the intrepid zeroid with a space backdrop from a generic space set called U.S. Space Exploration made in China by HingFat. Hint: if you plan to build dioramas for your robots, buy every well-made generic (not a licensed brand name like Star Wars) robot and space toy you can find. They'll be inexpensive, great backdrops and props for your space adventures. Check the dollar store as well as close outs at KB Toys and Toys R Us (generic toys never sell well and generally get marked down, but they're great for photos and dioramas.
Robotix
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Robotix was
originally owned by Milton Bradley Company. Then it was a building kit
to make robots and spaceships that were mostly white, black and gray.
There was even a short-lived cartoon that alternated Robotix adventures
with other toy promo cartoons such as Inhumanoids. At some point
Robotix was redone in bright colors, the line greatly expanded, and
offered through Learning Curve. This was good because Learning Curve
tends to have educational sorts of toys, and Robotix was really the
only "guy" toy they had. Learning Curve has since dropped the line, but
you can still find a lot of Robotix on eBay and elsewhere on the
Internet. The top left shows the box for SnAp, sold through Radio Shack
stores, which can make three sound controlled , walking robots.
The bottom pictures are from a very popular three motor Robotix set called Mission HUB. The coolest part is the working elevator that takes the astronaut (included) up to the capsule for launch. Of course it's all out of proportion, but the finished rocket and gantry is a very impressive 48" high and looks great on display. There's also a voice that counts down and a light that flashes before lift off. The other two motors are oddly employed. One swings the rocket on to the pad. The other swings a yellow grapling hook out to steady the rocket. Robotix kits have been widely used in schools and at science centers and they are great fun, but there's nothing really sturdy about this rocket, so it won't withstand rough play. The instruction booklet is all visual like a Lego manual, and many pieces look nearly alike, so it's easy to get a tough project like the above robot wrong. The pieces snap together and are hard to get apart, although Robotix knows that and includes a tool to disassemble your creations. K-nex sets have a lot better electronics and can do a lot more, but Robotix is a lot better as a building set. Some teachers have written books on how to use Robotix in the classroom and they have bulk packs available for schools.
The bottom pictures are from a very popular three motor Robotix set called Mission HUB. The coolest part is the working elevator that takes the astronaut (included) up to the capsule for launch. Of course it's all out of proportion, but the finished rocket and gantry is a very impressive 48" high and looks great on display. There's also a voice that counts down and a light that flashes before lift off. The other two motors are oddly employed. One swings the rocket on to the pad. The other swings a yellow grapling hook out to steady the rocket. Robotix kits have been widely used in schools and at science centers and they are great fun, but there's nothing really sturdy about this rocket, so it won't withstand rough play. The instruction booklet is all visual like a Lego manual, and many pieces look nearly alike, so it's easy to get a tough project like the above robot wrong. The pieces snap together and are hard to get apart, although Robotix knows that and includes a tool to disassemble your creations. K-nex sets have a lot better electronics and can do a lot more, but Robotix is a lot better as a building set. Some teachers have written books on how to use Robotix in the classroom and they have bulk packs available for schools.