Advertised as the World's
First Animated Talking Toy, Teddy Ruxpin enjoyed great popularity in the late
1980's. Manufactured by Worlds of Wonder (WOW) in 1985, this amazing bear had
a moving mouth and eyes that synchronized with his words. Built around a special
cassette tape and playback system Teddy could also be connected to his octopede
friend Grubby. Matching the words of each storybook, Teddy and Grubby spoke
their lines and moved their mouths while other characters joined in on the soundtrack
in over 40 adventures.
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The early full-sized
Teddy's were manufactured by Worlds of Wonder until 1989 after which time
a smaller Teddy was introduced by WOW/Playskool using special cartridges
instead of tapes. A
still smaller version of Teddy was produced by Yes! Entertainment from
1998-1999.
I can fondly remember
my mother and I Christmas shopping at the Miller and Paine Department
Store in 1985 and asking the salesman about Teddy Ruxpin who wasn't even
on a display shelf. We were assured that Teddy was back-ordered and deliveries
(special charter flights) were expected stateside any day. Retailing at
$84.95 they were expensive. But the salesman spoke with enthusiasm about
the books and accessories and careful planning that had gone into this
product and assured us it was worth the price. After all, he noted, it
was fun and educational. And thanks to my parents one did find its way
to under the tree that Christmas.
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Worlds
of Wonder Brochure, 1985
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Was Teddy the world's first
animated talking toy? One would have to say no, as Mattel's Animal Yacker series
in 1964 (toys like Crackers the Parrot whose beak moved when he spoke or Larry
the Lion whose mouth moves and talks when his pull string is pulled) fulfill
the animated and talking toy criteria of that world's first claim. But certainly,
Teddy was the first of its kind and combined with his popularity Teddy Ruxpin
is a worthy member of the Talking Toy Hall of Fame.
For information about how
Teddy works go to Vaughn Hangartner's site by clicking How
TR Works (http://www.mindspring.com/~mathue/workings.html)
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Worlds
of Wonder Brochure, 1985
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Teddy had ten outfits that
could be purchased to dress him appropriately for his adventures. Five of the
Teddy's outfits are displayed below ( Winter Outfit, Flying Outfit, Workout
Outfit, Sleeping Outfit, Summertime Beach Outfit). Other available Adventure
Outfits were: Hiking Outfit, Rain Outfit, Tuxedo, Santa Suit and a special order
Doctor's Outfit.
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Talking Teddy
by Lionel
This teddy bear and
record player were made by Lionel in the 1950's. The record player played
four speeds - 78, 45, 33 1/3 and 16 2/3. Teddy had a zipper in his back
where the speaker from the record player could be placed so that the sound
from the record player came out of Teddy. Tge Terri Lee doll from about
the same period used a similar method for making the doll "talk",
however, the speaker in Terry Lee was built into the doll. Pictured with
the record player are two of the albums that could be used with Teddy.
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