# What the Heck was this Toy Called?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2003, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-was-this-toy-called/214305 "2003-11-20T14:32:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-was-this-toy-called/214305/1 "2003-11-20T14:32:42Z")
I had a toy when I was a kid that was about three feet long. It was flattened, long, and slender, with a bit of a bell shape at one end. It was made of a white plastic casing on the bottom and the top had a vinyl-like covering with multicolored “buttons” that you could push to play different notes. They weren’t _really_ buttons, just markings on the plastic with sensors beneath, kind of like a touch-screen. It made a weird electronica-type music and you could pull it up and down through your hand and sound like some futuristic out of control robot. I loved mine, but can’t for the life of me remember what it was called. I’d like to try and find one for my son on e-bay or something for Christmas but don’t know where to search since I don’t know the name… Anyone have a clue? ---
**Author:** ![criminalcatalog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@criminalcatalog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/criminalcatalog)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-was-this-toy-called/214305/2 "2003-11-20T16:44:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by belladonna \* > **I had a toy when I was a kid that was about three feet long. It was flattened, long, and slender, with a bit of a bell shape at one end…and you could pull it up and down through your hand and sound like some futuristic out of control robot…** “Futuristic out of control robot”? Whatever does it for ya, I guess. Okay, so I’m being juvenile. But it was worth it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-was-this-toy-called/214305/3 "2003-11-20T16:56:17Z")
Oooh, I had one of those. I believe it was called the “Magical Musical Thing” (by Mattel?) Too bad I didn’t see this post a week ago, I could have dug around in my old bedroom closet while I was back home visiting – I’m sure it’s still in there somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-was-this-toy-called/214305/4 "2003-11-20T17:04:08Z")
Yep, the [Magical Musical Thing](http://community-2.webtv.net/sabata/THEMUSICOFWEIRDPAUL/page19.html) it is. ---
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-was-this-toy-called/214305/5 "2003-11-20T18:48:46Z")
Oh, That’s It! That’s It! You guys rock, thanks so much. ::running off to e-bay:: ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-was-this-toy-called/214305/6 "2003-11-20T18:52:57Z")
BELLA! Before you buy one on eBay, make sure it comes with the instructions. I remember mine had a color-coded song booklet. ---
**Author:** ![pestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e5b9ba/32.png) [@pestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pestie)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-was-this-toy-called/214305/7 "2003-11-20T19:23:08Z")
Thanks, **Phlosphr** , for posting that link. They also showed a Sound Gizmo, which I had as a kid but could never remember what it was called. I screwed up a game of Astroblast on the Intellivision because I had adjusted the thing to make the exact same sound the game did when something bad was about to happen and a friend of mine picked it up and made that noise when I was playing and I freaked. Heh… Ahh, the good ol’ days… ---
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-was-this-toy-called/214305/8 "2003-11-20T20:35:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Munch \* > \*\*BELLA! Before you buy one on eBay, make sure it comes with the instructions. I remember mine had a color-coded song booklet. \*\* Alas! E-bay has none listed, and neither does Amazon. ☹ And I remember that booklet too. Endless head-banging renditions of _Three Blind Mice_ while envisioning myself surrounded by my adoring fans… Ah, good times. I never thought I’d have trouble finding one once I knew the name though. I mean, doesn’t E-bay have _everything_? Sigh. Another illusion shattered.