Kid-powered toys

Jerome Lemelson

Jerome Lemelson (1923–1997) received more than 600 patents for inventions in many fields. About 10% of those patents are for toys. The examples seen here share a common "green" trait: batteries were not included—or needed!

Springs

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Prototype for Pinocchio-like spring-head toy with articulated jaw and nose, 1982–1983

Prototype for spring-head toy with articulated jaw and nose, 1982–1983. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson family

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Four spring-head toy patent figures, 1982–1983

Spring-head toy patent figures, 1982–1983. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson family

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Typescript draft patent specification for spring-head toy, 1982–1983

Draft patent specification for spring-head toy, 1982–1983. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson family

Pops

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Pencil drawing for pop-up ball games, early 1970s

Drawing for pop-up ball games, early 1970s. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson family

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Drawings with instructions for children's and adult pop-up ball games, 1972

Drawing for pop-up ball games, 1972. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson familys

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Popeye, with arms outstretched, wheeled action toy

Popeye wheeled action toy. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson family

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Color drawing for elephant popper push toy, 1977, showing balls inside housing bouncing

Drawing for elephant popper push toy, 1977. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson family

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Color drawing for turtle popper push toy, 1977. Smiling turtle is wearing a top hat and bow tie.

Drawing for turtle popper push toy, 1977. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson family

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Color drawing for snake popper push toy, 1977

Drawing for snake popper push toy, 1977. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson family

Inflates

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Advertising material for “Ballooney Head” inflatable toys, late 1960s–1970s. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson family

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Drawing for Hey Diddle Diddle inflatable toys, 1966, showing the cat and the fiddle and the cow

Drawing for “Hey Diddle Diddle” inflatable toys, 1966. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson family

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Drawings and instructions for inflatable crying doll, 1964

Drawing for inflatable crying doll, 1964. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson family

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Drawing showing little girl looking through see-through window play ball inflatable toy, 1966

Drawing for see-through window play ball inflatable toy, 1966. On loan, courtesy of the Lemelson family