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!

Decoding

Being a "treasured guest" is not a compliment. This is the hidden meaning

Have you ever heard "Code Adam" while shopping for groceries at Walmart? Or maybe you’ve heard how "Dr. Firestone" was being paged during a routine hospital visit. They sound like harmless announcements. But behind these ordinary words are secret codes staff use to signal emergencies without causing panic. From hospitals and supermarkets to airports and Disney Parks, these phrases quietly warn employees that something is happening. You hope you never hear them, but if you do, it helps to know exactly what they mean.

We all love getting special attention at airports or hotel desks, but if you hear the clerk call you a "treasured guest," don’t feel so flattered. You may not be as VIP as one could think.

In the hospitality industry, "treasured guest" has become a humorous bit of industry folklore to describe someone causing trouble. Maybe a customer yelling at staff over expired coupons, demanding impossible accommodations, or throwing a full-blown tantrum at the front desk. Whatever it is, the phrase has become the staff’s secret way to warn co-workers without escalating the situation in front of the customers. Most guests don’t realize the meaning, but once you know it, you may start hearing it more often. We just hope it’s not about you.

Imagine you’re pushing a shopping cart through Walmart when suddenly the overhead speaker announces, "Code Adam." You can easily assume it’s some kind of employee meeting or cleanup request. But when you see them start locking the exits and moving around, you know something’s wrong.

This code was created in 1994 by Walmart in collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), in memory of the tragic case of 6-year-old Adam Walsh. Adam was abducted from a Sears department store in 1981 while shopping with his mother. His father, John Walsh, later became famous for hosting the TV program America’s Most Wanted and advocating for missing children. Even if Adam’s story ended in tragedy, Walmart created the emergency system in Adam’s memory, and other retailers soon adopted it nationwide, intending to have a quick response to missing or abducted children.

You’re sitting in a hospital waiting room during a routine check-up when you suddenly hear "Code Blue, Room 214." Most people immediately know it sounds serious, even if they are not entirely sure why.

The phrase "Code Blue" is used at hospitals to draw the necessary staff and equipment to perform a resuscitation. It was created in the early 1960s at Beathany Medical Center by Dr. Hughes Day. Before then, hospital resuscitations were often chaotic and poorly coordinated. In 1961, Dr. Day received a grant to build one of America’s first cardiac care centers, and he developed both the Code Blue alert system and the modern crash cart to improve survival rates during cardiac emergencies. Today, the system is used in hospitals across the country, sometimes with specialized versions like "Code Blue Pediatric" or "Code Blue Neonate."

Imagine visiting a loved one in the hospital when the intercom calmly announces, "Paging Dr. Firectone to the third floor." Your head surely goes, "Dr. Firestone’s probably having a busy day up there." He is, but it’s not what you think.

The phrase is actually a discreet fire alert used to warn staff about smoke, flames, or overheating equipment without frightening patients and visitors. Hospitals adopted these coded announcements after realizing that openly yelling "fire" over loudspeakers could create panic, especially among patients who aren’t able to move quickly. "Code Red" is an alternative used by many health centers today, but it also hints at the situation while keeping hallways calm.

You’re standing at a checkout counter when the cashier picks up the phone and quietly says, "I need a Code 10 authorization." If you think that’s just another way to get a supervisor’s approval or technical issue, think again. In reality, the cashier may suspect the credit card is stolen or fraudulent.

Code 10 was developed through a cooperative effort between major credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard, along with international standard organizations. As credit cards became more common in the 1960s and 1970s, stores needed a discreet way to alert banks about suspicious activity without directly accusing customers and potentially putting employees at danger. When a cashier requests a Code 10, the bank’s operator begins asking yes-or-no questions to assess the situation and guide the employee on what to do next.

You’ve probably experienced those long airport security lines. The wait is usually uneventful. But sometimes, you can hear "Code Bravo" over the speakers. Maybe it’s a delay, or maybe it’s an issue with luggage. Within seconds, people stop moving, the security line freezes, and exits may even close. It’s something bigger.

Code Bravo is the emergency phrase used by airport security and the Transportation Security Administration to signal a serious security threat, such as an unattended bag, a breach at a checkpoint, or someone slipping into a restricted area. The term comes from the international phonetic alphabet used in aviation and military communications, where "Bravo" represents the letter B. When this is called, security staff immediately lock down affected areas, stop screening lines, and search for the source of the threat. To passengers, it’s sudden and confusing, but to security, it’s a carefully rehearsed response.

You are heading back to your cabin on a cruise ship when the speakers announce, "Code Alpha, Deck 7." You may think Alpha is related to the captain, but that’s not the case. It means someone on board is suffering a medical emergency.

The phrase comes from the NATO phonetic alphabet, where "Alpha" represents the letter A. In maritime emergency jargon, it became shorthand for a Priority A medical situation requiring immediate response. Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line commonly use the term, though some ships use variations like repeating "Alpha" three times. Once the code is announced, onboard medical teams rush toward the specified deck or cabin. If necessary, stretcher crews are mobilized, and in severe cases, the ship may even divert course toward the nearest port for emergency evacuation. Passengers are enjoying the views, but the staff is running to save a life.

Anyone who remembers the CB radio craze of the 1970s probably smiles when they hear "10-4." Movies, truckers, and radio fans turned those number codes into a part of American culture. So if you overhear "10-33" on a police scanner, you might assume it’s just another routine message. But it’s not as simple as it sounds.

The 10-code system was first created in 1937 by Illinois State Police communications director Charles Hopper and later standardized by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, better known as APCO. Officers needed short phrases they could understand clearly over crackling radio signals. The 10-33 code commonly means an officer needs emergency assistance. In some departments, it also signals radio silence so dispatchers can focus on the crisis unfolding in real time.

Disney World is amazing, the parks offer something for everyone, and there are things to see wherever you look. But that’s exactly the kind of place where a child can easily disappear into a sea of strollers, balloons, characters, and crowds. For that reason, Disney has developed the "Signal 70," which alerts cast members and security that a child has become separated from their family.

The number comes from older police and emergency radio systems, where "70" was commonly associated with missing persons. Disney adopted the phrase because it allows employees to communicate discreetly without frightening or alarming nearby guests. If a member finds the child, they gently -and magically- escort them to Baby Care Center, where they coordinate the reunion.

Cruises are great to relax, enjoying a good book under the sun with a nice drink by the side. Until you hear "Echo, echo, echo" on the speakers. If you do, something is happening somewhere else on the ship.

The code is used among cruise employees to signal that dangerous winds or a navigational hazard are affecting the ship. It comes from the international maritime phonetic alphabet, where "Echo" stands for the letter E. In maritime signalling, the letter traditionally means "I am altering my course to starboard." And, in time, the phrase became associated with urgent ship maneuvers and weather-related warnings. However urgent, the repetition of the word by three doesn’t represent life-threatening situations. It alerts the crew of a certain hazard to prepare while avoiding panic among passengers.