I love the Zeroids! So many clever design features in what were basically simple toys. Not just the mechanical gimmicks like spring loaded gripping hands and flicking arms either. As a young teen I did some maintenance work on my favourite model Zintar and learnt a lot about how he worked and why. Zeroids had the lovely design feature of details beneath clear plastic shapes which gave them depth and complexity. Zintar has three clear portholes on his chest. His head is attached to a barrel that sits behind the those holes. It has a yellow bar, visible through the windows. As you tilt Zintar's head forward, the bar disappears, giving the impression these portholes are energy guages that drop to zero as his head slumps forward. What kind of design genius slipped that complicated feature into a simple kid's toy?
After Major Matt Mason, the Zeroids were the 60s space toy of choice, apart from the Anderson franchise. They were, and remain, a magnificent example of the child space zeitgiest of the age.
Unfortunately I have no memory of Zeroids; maybe I was too interested in Captain Scarlet to notice the toy ads- Xmas 1968 Santa brought me a Dinky SPV....
I love the Zeroids! So many clever design features in what were basically simple toys. Not just the mechanical gimmicks like spring loaded gripping hands and flicking arms either. As a young teen I did some maintenance work on my favourite model Zintar and learnt a lot about how he worked and why. Zeroids had the lovely design feature of details beneath clear plastic shapes which gave them depth and complexity.
ReplyDeleteZintar has three clear portholes on his chest. His head is attached to a barrel that sits behind the those holes. It has a yellow bar, visible through the windows. As you tilt Zintar's head forward, the bar disappears, giving the impression these portholes are energy guages that drop to zero as his head slumps forward.
What kind of design genius slipped that complicated feature into a simple kid's toy?
Yep, one cool toy designer for sure.
DeleteAfter Major Matt Mason, the Zeroids were the 60s space toy of choice, apart from the Anderson franchise.
ReplyDeleteThey were, and remain, a magnificent example of the child space zeitgiest of the age.
Hear hear!
DeleteUnfortunately I have no memory of Zeroids; maybe I was too interested in Captain Scarlet to notice the toy ads- Xmas 1968 Santa brought me a Dinky SPV....
ReplyDeleteI think the Mysterons got to you first.
Delete