TIMELESS TREASURES

Did you know Play-Doh was actually invented as a wallpaper cleaner?

Image: Michael Fousert

We all have some nice memories from our younger years. While you may forget things like doctor's appointments or last night's dinner, we're sure you still remember those beloved toys that made your days great when you were just a little kid. Today, we're taking a little trip to the past, remembering 10 iconic toys that won the hearts of past generations. We bet one of these treasures was once in your hands!

Image: Mourizal Zativa

What was your preferred creation when building with toy blocks? Did you enjoy making towers, castles, robots, or cars?

The potential to manifest whatever your imagination comes up with and transform it into reality thanks to blocks was sent to worldwide fame by the Danish toy company LEGO.

Since the 1930s, LEGO has enriched the lives of many children, evolving from traditional wooden blocks to the plastic bricks known today. In fact, the company's name originates from the Danish expression leg godt, meaning "play well."

Image: Alicia Christin Gerald

Most of us were lucky enough to hug a teddy bear during childhood. But among the different types of soft stuffed bears, there is undoubtedly a highlight: the famous Care Bears. With their catchy name and nice colors, these stuffed animals arrived in the 1980s to transform the world of plush toys.

Originally conceived as illustrations for greeting cards, these adorable bears quickly won the public's hearts, evolving into toys and later becoming the stars of numerous TV shows and movies. You're remembering your favorite teddy bear right now, aren't you?

Image: Nik

In 1989, Nintendo launched the Game Boy, one of the most recognized handheld game consoles by those who lived their childhood or adolescence in those years.

Aimed at a diverse audience, the Game Boy provided the freedom to transport your favorite games wherever you went! You probably know a Tetris fan who loved this iconic console, or maybe you are one of them yourself!

Image: Alex Zabavsky

Playing with miniature toy cars has an undeniable appeal for children and, let's admit it, adults too. Made from different materials and designs that were once far simpler than those of today, these tiny vehicles have been a staple for centuries.

However, the world of miniature cars changed dramatically with the arrival of Hot Wheels in the late 1960s. So much so, that many renowned car brands have forged partnerships with Hot Wheels to produce scaled-down models of their real-life cars.

Image: Julietta Watson

One of the most successful toys of all time, Play-Doh started to enchant children in the 1950s, and more than 70 years later, its popularity is still high.

But there's something you may not know: Play-Doh wasn't originally created for playing. It was actually invented as a wallpaper cleaner!

Yes, you heard that right. So, the next time you're facing household chores, picture yourself playing with Play-Doh, and suddenly, cleaning becomes a great adventure.

Image: Boris Langvand

Introduced in the late 1970s, the Atari console was one of the earliest home video game systems to reach widespread success. Bringing the world of video games to the comfort of our living rooms, the Atari remains a fond memory for those who love virtual adventures.

This pioneering device introduced several legendary games, including "Space Invaders," "Pong," and the classic "Pac-Man." Did you have the pleasure of experiencing its magic?

Image: Olav Ahrens Røtne

Among the many trends that emerged in the 1980s, one stood out: the Rubik's Cube. Since then, this cube-shaped puzzle has challenged the intellect and skills of young and old alike.

The small cube serves as a great tool for exercising the mind. Its popularity was so strong that, over the years, it has given rise to a multitude of tournaments and competitions dedicated to its solution.

The Rubik's cube is today an icon of pop culture and has even evolved into a decorative object in the home of many young adults.

Image: Stijn Swinnen

Despite technology's presence in our lives, the appeal of action figures and dolls among children remains unbeatable. And a great example of this is the G.I. Joe.

Presented in the 1960s, this iconic action figure was the favorite toy of many generations.

G.I. Joe can be seen as a modern version of the classic toy soldier. With its larger size and mobility, this figure offers children a more dynamic and detailed experience, leading to more and better adventures for the little ones who imagine fighting like him.

Image: Elena Mishlanova

When discussing dolls, it's impossible to overlook the icon of toys: Barbie. Created by Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, and introduced in the late 1950s, Barbie revolutionized the toy world.

Despite the numerous controversies surrounding her figure, Barbie has always been among children's favorites.

Over the years, Barbie has evolved to reflect changing trends and fashions, having different roles, professions, and friends. To this day, Barbie remains a preferred choice not only for children but also for some adults who collect the many versions of the doll.

Image: Nick Fewings

As straightforward as a carpet adorned with colorful circles, Twister, introduced in the 1960s, became a sensation in the last century. Children and adults delighted with the joy of contorting themselves into peculiar positions and struggling to maintain balance.

If you don't have plans this weekend, we encourage you to gather a few friends and revisit this fun game. Though, unlike in childhood, joints may complain a bit the morning after!

ICONIC FEUDS

10 Legendary Rivalries That Left Their Mark On History

Image: Birmingham Museums Trust

Some people are just not made to get along together. And when circumstances pit them against each other or force them to compete, personalities clash and it can lead to bitter confrontations. From bitter rivalries in the world of art to heated conflicts between scientific minds, these feuds have fascinated and entertained generations for centuries.

Let’s delve into the story behind 10 feuds that, in one way or another, left their mark on history.

Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art

The infamous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in 1804 was the culmination of one of the most recounted feuds in American history. Stemming from political disagreements and personal animosity, the confrontation ended tragically. Despite Hamilton’s intentions to avoid harming Burr, his rival showed no restraint, and he ultimately succumbed to a fatal bullet wound days later.

Image: Zach Lucero

The rivalry between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla in the late 19th century was likely exaggerated by the press, but they certainly had their fair share of differences regarding the best type of electric current for widespread use in cities and large industries. Edison was a proponent of direct current (DC) electricity, a somewhat safer but more expensive and inefficient system due to the dissipation of energy over long distances. Tesla, on the other hand, favored alternating current, more efficient over long distances. In the end, alternating current won, but we still use direct current for some applications.

Image: Alina Grubnyak

For a long time, art historians believed that genius painter Vincent Van Gogh had cut off his own ear during one of his many bouts of depression. But recent research claims that Van Gogh’s severed ear was likely the work of his fellow painter Paul Gauguin. During their brief cohabitation in Arles, France, the duo had many violent altercations, and since Gaughin was a fencing ace - and carried a sword with him - art historians speculate that he could have sliced Van Gogh’s ear during one of their arguments.

Image: Nemesia Production

Legendary boxing heavyweights Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier engaged in a fierce rivalry both inside and outside the ring. Initially on good terms with each other, their epic trilogy of matches, including the iconic "Thrilla in Manila," captivated the world and further intensified their rivalry. They called each other names and tried to humiliate each other at every opportunity. Despite Ali's attempts to bury the hatchet years later, Frazier refused to reconcile, still angry with Ali’s "cheap" tactics and unnecessary abuse.

Image: Julian Hochgesang

The fierce competition between tech titans Steve Jobs and Bill Gates defined the early days of the personal computer revolution. Although they initially tried to work together, Gates didn’t think much of Job’s vision, and their relationship went south. In later years, both believed that the other was ripping off their product in one way or another and made bitter remarks about each other’s products. However, they also found opportunities to briefly reconcile and support each other’s ideas, proving that despite their differences, there was also mutual admiration.

Image: Parker Coffman

The feud between Pink Floyd bandmates Roger Waters and David Gilmour epitomized the tensions of creative collaboration and individual ambition. When Waters, who viewed himself as the main creative force behind Pink Floyd, left the group in 1984, a bitter legal battle over the use of the band’s name ensued. Despite a couple of brief collaborations, the strained ex-bandmates never reconciled, and to this day have shown no interest in working together again.

Image: Jakob Owens

The on-screen rivalry between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall in "Sex and the City" mirrored real-life tensions between the actresses. Behind-the-scenes conflicts and personal animosities added drama to the beloved television series and its subsequent adaptations. Apparently, most of it was caused by differences in their salaries, as Parker received a substantial raise when she was given an executive producer credit on the show. In response, Parker and other cast members shunned Cattrall, and to this day the two still refuse to speak to each other.

Image: Christian Wiediger

Sibling rivalry reached new heights in the feud between Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, founders of Adidas and Puma, respectively. After their joint success in manufacturing the shoes of Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens, their already fragile relationship became strained and they went separate ways. Their rivalry ended up literally dividing the small German town of Herzogenaurach, as their factories were placed on opposite sides of the Aurach river that crossed the town. Their animosity translated into rivalries between their sponsored football teams and even the employees of their respective companies.

Image: Rod Long

The notorious feud between figure skaters Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan gripped the world during the 1994 Winter Olympics. The inherent tension between the two competitors for the Olympic gold was further escalated by the press' frequent comparisons of each other’s styles. When Harding's ex-husband orchestrated an attack on Kerrigan, injuring her knee, the scandal rocked the skating world and became a sensationalized media spectacle, forever tarnishing Harding's reputation.

Image: Lyman Hansel Gerona

Amusingly, the charming comic relief duo of the "Star Wars" franchise, brought to life by actors Kenny Baker and Anthony Daniels, reportedly had a strained relationship off-screen. Daniels was a classically trained actor and believed that his co-star, who came from a circus background, was not up to his standards. Meanwhile, Baker took offense to Daniels' high and mighty attitude around the set, a sentiment that was backed by many cast members.