I was fascinated by the Space Race. Before that first model rocket order I was a member of the "Science Program".
For 10 cents you would get a plastic model, (sort of a moon landing diorama) a book about the space program (with lick and stick stickers!) and a cardboard binder to hold all the upcoming books.
For that one thin dime you were enrolled in the Science Program. You were supposed to be sent one book a month but they quickly accelerated the program to send two books a month. "You want to learn more about science don't you?"
The first few books were space related but later "booklets" featured subjects like Vegetables and the Weather. I thought this service was all about space and rockets!
After six months I resigned from the Science Program. Live and learn!
"Did you know that tomatoes were once thought to be poisonous?" See, I did read and learn something!
To see some of the booklets - CLICK HERE
I remember sending off for that same kit package. I was pretty disillusioned when the following booklets were not space related.
ReplyDeleteI do miss the days of sending a coin away for goodies. Comic book adds also got a share of my coins. I waited weeks for a big delivery truck to show up with a 7' Frankenstein to have it show up in an envelope !
Hi Moontana,
DeleteGood to know I wasn't the only one who was ticked when I got books unrelated to the space program. I did a LOT of orders through the Johnson Smith company. they were always on the inside front cover of comic books. We actually ordered our first (illegally sent to California) BP engines from J. Smith. Three MRI A3-2 engines!
Moontana,
DeleteDo a search for the 7' Frankenstein and you can see pictures of it. They also sold a cardboard submarine for a few bucks. It was big enough two kids could get in it - supposedly.
Hrm... This would've probably been something I would've been interested as a kid (I was definitely the nerdy type) - had a general fascination about anything to do with science and technology. It's no surprise that my favorite manga had been Doraemon. As for my fascination with mathematics since childhood -- I jokingly "blame" Disney's "Donald in Mathmagic Land."
ReplyDeleteHi Naoto,
DeleteYou would have been disappointed, too. They get you hooked then sent filler books. I do remember Donald in Mathematics Land. It helped put math into laymen's terms.
Things I remember ordering from the comics:
ReplyDelete1. A giant blow up Mr. Peanut. I think my mom helped me order this, I was quite young.
2. A gag assortment package, including the Whoopee cushion, joy buzzer, plastic barf, garlic gum, sneezing powder, etc. Could've easily wound up getting a black eye from those, but fortunately didn't.
3. Was tempted to order the infamous "Sea Monkeys". The ad captivated my young imagination. Good thing I didn't: it was brine shrimp! Couldn't run those ads nowadays. Laters.
Hi BAR,
DeleteYour 2 and 3 purchases sound like what I'd see in the Johnson Smith catalogs. I had Sea Monkeys - they didn't look anything like the cartoon images in the ads. No crowns or smiles.
We had it good as kids and this type of thing was really exciting, while it peeked our interest. Cartoons for only a few hours on Saturday morning (not 24X7), no video games (well Pong, tank and such - not immersive endless quest video games) and certainly no pads or screens to look at all day. Finding entertainment was easy with rockets, sciences, and just finding things to do. After my homework was done, we were out and about exploring, launching rockets or trying to get in trouble until the street lights came on. And just think the next generation won’t even be driving their own cars, more time to look at screens I guess. Ahhh, the good ole days.
ReplyDeleteHi Scott,
DeleteI agree! I didn't even have Pong when I was growing up. I feel a little retro, I got rid of cable and now have rabbit ears for my TV reception. I do like some "new" things - Online banking is the best!