Chatter Telephone
| Type | Toy telephone |
|---|---|
| Company | Fisher-Price |
| Country | United States |
| Availability | 1962–present |
| Materials | Wood, plastic |
The Chatter Telephone is a pull toy for toddlers 12 to 36 months of age.[1] Introduced in 1962 by the Fisher-Price company as the "Talk Back Phone" for infants and children, the Chatter Telephone is a roll along pull toy. It has a smiling face, and when the toy is pulled, it makes a chattering sound and the eyes move up and down. The toy has a rotary dial that rings a bell, and was conceived as a way to teach children how to dial a phone. The original version was made of wood, with polyethylene receiver and cord.[2] In 2000, Fisher-Price changed the rotary dial for a push-button version with lights in an effort to modernize the toy, but consumers complained and the rotary version returned to the market the following year.[3]
From its introduction through the 1970s, the Chatter Telephone was Fisher-Price's best selling product.[4] It has been cited as one of the company's offerings that helped save Fisher Price in the 1990s following a failed attempt to market toys for older children in the late 1980s,[5] and enjoys continuing popularity.[6] It is available both as an authentic reproduction[7] and in a modern form.[8]
Cultural references
In 1985, Fisher-Price offered to donate a Chatter Telephone, Rock A Stack, and Activity Center to NASA for Senator Jake Garn to play with while on the STS-51-D space shuttle mission. This offer was rejected as NASA felt there was insufficient time to test the toys for safety.[9]
In 2003, the Chatter Telephone was listed as one of the 100 most memorable toys of the 20th century by the Toy Industry Association.[10]
In 2005, the Chatter Telephone was chosen as one of Dr. Toy's Best Classic Toys.[11]
Chatter Telephone appears in the 2010 animated film Toy Story 3 as a minor character, helping Woody save his friends from Lotso. He is voiced by Teddy Newton and speaks with a film noir style.[12]
The Powerpuff hotline, a telephone from The Powerpuff Girls, somewhat bears a few resemblances to a Chatter Telephone.
In The Simpsons episode, "Moe Baby Blues", the Chatter Telephone appears in Maggie's room.
The Chatter Telephone influenced a real-life art car created by Howard Davis for his telecommunications company.[13]
A Chatter Telephone appears on the cover of American rock band Thee Oh Sees' 2011 album Castlemania.
References
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