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!

STRANGER THAN FICTION

10 Writers With Lives Crazier Than Their Fiction

Image: Patrick Fore

Writers are known to often draw inspiration from life’s intricacies, but some authors have lived lives so adventurous that they could easily rival the most imaginative works of fiction.

From scandalous affairs to dangerous jobs, here are 10 world-famous writers whose rich life stories make some of their fiction pale in comparison.

Image: Published by Century Company, NY, 1921

One of the first American authors to become worldwide famous and earn a large fortune from his writing, Jack London experienced in one lifetime what few could accomplish in ten. Born into a working-class family, he had to fend for himself from a young age, and by the age of 13, he was already working as an oyster poacher on San Francisco Bay. Venturing further into the wilds of life, he joined the Klondike Gold Rush alongside his sister's husband, where he drew inspiration from the rugged landscapes and its harsh realities for many of his future stories. He also became a hobo during some time, before embarking on a stellar career as a full-time writer.

Image: CindyN, CC BY-SA 4.0

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, renowned for his timeless classic The Little Prince, led a life as adventurous as the characters in his stories. Born into an aristocratic family in France, Saint-Exupéry developed a passion for aviation at a young age. He became a pioneering aviator, working as a commercial pilot for Aeropostale, a French airmail company, flying dangerous routes across the Sahara Desert and the Andes Mountains. His renown as a daring pilot led him to be summoned to fight in World War II, though he was far older than most pilots at the time. His disappearance during a reconnaissance mission in 1944 led to much speculation and added an aura of intrigue to his already legendary status.

Image: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Mark Twain, the pen name of Samuel Clemens, journeyed from humble beginnings as a Mississippi riverboat pilot to becoming one of America's most beloved literary figures. Twain's irreverent humor and keen social commentary struck a chord with readers of his era, and classics like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn solidified his place as a timeless giant of American literature. His own life was filled with ups and downs, as he tried his luck on countless ventures, eventually losing most of the money he made writing on failed investments. Born shortly after the appearance of Halley’s Comet, he famously quipped that his demise would coincide with the comet's next passing. True to his prediction, Twain breathed his last just a day after the comet's closest approach to the planet.

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Mary Shelley, the gifted pen behind Frankenstein - one of the most enduring Gothic novels and perhaps one of the first science fiction works ever - had a complex life filled with tragedy and intrigue. At the age of seventeen, she fled from home with one of her father’s young political followers, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and her sister Claire. The three of them embarked on a journey through a war-ravaged Europe, an enlightening experience that would deeply influence her for the rest of her life. Throughout her life, she had a tumultuous relationship with Percy Bysshe Shelley, who expressed affection for her but didn’t believe in the institution of marriage.

Image: Annie Lang

Hemingway's larger-than-life persona included big game hunting, wartime exploits, and four marriages. During World War I, he joined the Red Cross and served as an ambulance driver on the Italian Front until he got seriously wounded in 1918. Later, during World War II he joined the Allied troops as a journalist and was present during the Normandy landings and the liberation of Paris. Later in life, he enjoyed hunting in the African wilderness and developed a deep appreciation for the natural landscapes of Wyoming and Florida. In many ways, his distilled prose and distinct writing style was born out of his intense life experiences.

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Known for his wit and flamboyant lifestyle, Wilde's career was unfairly burdened by scandal and controversy. Venturing into various literary genres, he penned plays, published poetry, and delivered lectures on art history in the United States and Canada. Despite his rapid rise to fame, fueled by his quick intellect and magnetic personality, Wilde's celebrity only brought him sorrow. Imprisoned for "gross indecency" due to his homosexuality, he endured the scorn of the conservative English society, prompting his exile to France upon being released. However, even in these dark times, Wilde remained far from idle, producing one of his most acclaimed works, De Profundis.

Image: Ben Sutherland from Crystal Palace, London, UK, CC BY 2.0

Colonial policeman in Burma, soldier for the Republican faction during the Spanish Civil War, and later propaganda agent for the BBC's Eastern Service, Orwell’s life was full of contradictions. Deeply empathizing with England’s impoverished working class, he strived to experience their hardships firsthand. For a while, he disguised himself as a tramp under the name of P.S. Burton, meticulously documenting and chronicling the deplorable conditions in which most Londoners lived.

Image: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Best known for The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling remains one of the most prolific and insightful British authors in history. Born in British India to English parents, Kipling's formative years were divided between the vibrant landscapes of India's lush jungles and the urban centers of the British Empire. This experience profoundly influenced his writing, providing the backdrop for many of his tales. His wanderlust, however, extended far beyond India, as he traversed the globe, from Japan to the untamed American wilderness.

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Agatha Christie, the indisputable Queen of Crime, has captivated generations of readers with her meticulously crafted detective novels. Possessing an impulsive and adventurous character, Christie served in both world wars in hospital dispensaries, where she acquired the thorough knowledge of poisons that would later be featured in many of her novels. Following the loss of her mother and the dissolution of her marriage, she vanished for eleven days, triggering an intense search that even made international headlines. Eventually, she remarried to a prominent British archaeologist, embarking on numerous archaeological digs and expeditions across the Middle East.

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Hunter Thompson was an unconventional writer with a fearless approach to both journalism and life in general. Exploring controversial topics that few of his contemporaries dared touch, he developed his own type of genre-defying journalism, renouncing any attempt at objectivity and embracing the thin line between fiction and reality. This peculiar approach led him to cover unusual subjects such as life among the infamous Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang, the surreal debauchery around various sporting events, and the intricate plots of national politics. In the 70s, he even ran for sheriff of Pitkin County in Colorado!