The Enduring Popularity of Lionel Trains

August 11, 2008

When Joshua Lionel Cowen started his business of building Lionel trains as model toys for children and adults all over the world, his aim was twofold. As these toy trains and each Lionel trains set were targeted primarily at young boys, his first aim was to provide a medium for both father and son everywhere to form a relationship and communicate through the time spent together building and playing with model train sets. It has always been well documented throughout history that males bond well together through common activity, and as toy trains hold a global appeal for males of all ages, it was a great way to achieve this objective. The second objective was to show people everywhere the kind of careful detail and ingenious invention that went into these post war American trains, which were a testament to the leap in innovation and invention from the country during its formative years.

During that time, trains were also one of the premier methods of travel, especially over long distances. With that came huge coverage and media interest in everything about trains. Cowen decided to leverage on that, as well as his own passion in the subject, to produce toy trains of such detail and quality that they quickly became popular with children and men of all ages, and were often a favorite choice as gifts. Lionel trains sets also became the choice for collectors and it was often that you would see individuals from that time who had amassed huge personal collections of toy trains which primarily consisted of Lionel prewar trains, which were a popular choice.

Till now, you can often find someone making a Lionel trains purchase as the continued passion in collecting of toy trains and railroad model paraphernalia remains strong, especially in the United States. This is entirely expected with the long and fabled history of the mode of transport which reached its height of strength in post war America. Despite the advancement of technology which has resulted in high tech trains that can now travel at supersonic speeds or speeds which easily overshadows their aged counterparts, there remains an affinity amongst collectors for the antique designs of both prewar and postwar Lionel trains. Part of this is due to the mystique which lends itself to the highly detailed craftsmanship that was invested in building those model toy trains, which was the result of Cowen constantly hiring skilled model locomotive builders who spent long hours making sure that the replicas were true to the original designs.

Along with the consistent number of model railroad collectors worldwide, the tradition of toy train collecting also continues to be spread down from generation to generation. The fact that these toys still hold a fascination with men of all ages and diverse backgrounds, lend them to being timeless mediums for bonding between family members. It is quite a sight to behold when a railroad set is completed and a toy train is seen chugging along the tracks with both father and son, or sometimes the entire family, smiling and cheering on their efforts. With other accessories including scenic landscapes that come with these railroad sets, it is not difficult to understand why Lionel trains remain close to the hearts of train collectors everywhere in the world.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/the-enduring-popularity-of-lionel-trains-386916.html

About the Author:

Greg Howard is a collector of Lionel trains set and often provides insights on making your Lionel trains purchase. For more info on Lionel model train sets, please visit Greg's site.

Filed Under 2008 Top Toys, Big Kids, Boys, Lionel · Leave a Comment

A Look at the Hulk Vs Marvel Universe Gods: Hulk Vs Hercules

August 10, 2008

Various characters of the Marvel Universe. Pro...

Image via Wikipedia

We've seen the headlines: Hulk vs Superman, Hulk vs Wolverine, Hulk vs the Thing, and, basically, Hulk vs other superheroes. Classics that piqued our imagination. Who's the strongest? Who's the best fighter? Who'll win?

Time and time again the Hulk has proven that he's more than a match to most, if not all, super heroes. But how does he fair against gods? Lucky for us, there are two gods in the Marvel comic book universe, one from Olympus and one from Asgard, who walk among mortals and they've scuffled with the Hulk on a few occassions.

Let's take a look at some of these matchups between Marvel powerhouses:

HULK vs HERCULES

Only a handful of characters symbolize strength. Throughout history, no one is more famous for strength than the Greek demigod, Hercules. His feats of strength, the 12 Labors of Hercules, are passed down from generations to generations. In the Marvel universe, however, Hercules, an immortal from Mt. Olympus, has had to contend with other powerful beings to earn the title of "The Strongest". And he doesn't always win.

Indeed, the Hulk and Hercules have met in various issues with mixed outcomes:

- AVENGERS #267. Comic book fans first saw the Hulk and Hercules battle it out in Avengers No 267. In this issue, Hercules and the Avengers were trapped in limbo by their nemesis, Kang. Upon their first arrival, the Incredible Hulk came out of nowhere to attack the Avengers. Hercules stepped up and delivered a single knockout blow to the Hulk. Puzzled over the quick outcome, after examining the unconscious giant, the Avengers concluded that the Hulk was under a trance which rendered him less of his usual threat. And then the Hulk faded away into thin air. source: The Big DataBase of Comic Books (comics-db.com)

Perhaps Avengers 267 should not count as an encounter, but it nevertheless gave comic book fans a sneak peek of future fights featuring Hulk vs Hercules.

- HULK #316. Many Hulk and Avengers fan still remember the big clash in Hulk No 316 when the Banner-less, rampaging Hulk took on four Avengers, namely Iron Man, Wonder Man, Namor and Hercules. The fight was interrupted by Doc Samson who felt responsible for removing Bruce Banner from the Hulk in the first place. source: LeadersLair.com

- HULK-HERCULES UNLEASHED. If you're a Hulk fan, you'll thoroughly enjoy this one. After the superheroes went missing because of Onslaught, Hercules tried to convince the Hulk, the lone survivor, in helping to find the other heroes. Hulk was not in the mood and a brawl ensued. Hercules was beaten so bad that he would have died had Zeus not intervened to save him.

Hulk and Hercules have scuffled in a handful of other issues. The latest being HULK VS. HERCULES: WHEN TITANS CLASH published on April 2008.

The complete article can be viewed at Planet Comic Book Radio. It includes part two listing Hulk vs Thor with pictures of cover pages and comic strip panels.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/literature--articles/a-look-at-the-hulk-vs-marvel-universe-gods-hulk-vs-hercules-474600.html

About the Author:

Planet Comic Book Radio is a weekly talkshow and blog on everything comic books.

Filed Under 2008 Top Toys, Boys, Hulk · Leave a Comment

Block Rocking Feats: the Legacy of Lego

August 9, 2008

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Lego maybe the best known brick on the block, but it wasn't the first toy of its kind and shared many similarities with its predecessors, Meccano and Bayko.

Meccano, a system of metal plates, nuts and bolts, was very much a boy's toy and its technical basis encouraged the building of structures such as model bridges, cranes and cars, which often required and fostered knowledge of mechanics and engineering.

Bayko, invented during the 1930s, was also similar to Lego, in that the Bayko system was primarily intended for the construction of model buildings. Meccano eventually acquired the rights to manufacture Bayko in 1960; but while Meccano is still manufactured today, Bayko production ceased in 1967 following increasing pressure from competing toys. This was despite Bayko models being more realistic architectural reproductions.

Most of us had at least one type of Lego set as a child, and the genius of Lego was their ability to appeal to so many different markets. For the toddlers there was Duplo; the great, big oversized bricks, while for the girls there was the home-maker set; for boys there was knights and dragons, and for technically minded teenagers, Technic Lego, which like Meccano offered the chance to build complex engines, complete with pneumatics, gears and electric motors.

Then came the collaborations; in an extremely shrewd move, Lego struck deals with major film merchandising companies and began to manufacture Lego versions of popular movies and cartoons; Star Wars, Harry Potter, Batman, Indiana Jones, Sponge Bob Squarepants and even Tomas the Tank Engine all have Lego incarnations.

There are also four Lego Land theme parks; in Denmark, England, Germany and California. Though each park receives in the region of 1.3 million visitors annually, they have reportedly struggled to make money and have not fully maximised their potential ticket sales, though hotels near Lego Land remain busy throughout the year and booking ahead is advised.

Lego retains an important place in the adult world too; the Guinness book of records is full of block rocking feats, such as the tallest ever Lego tower (currently in Toronto at 29.03 metres), the world's longest Lego chain (565 meters long, built in Switzerland), and the world's longest DNA helix molecule.

Lego also seems to have somewhat of a cult following with film lovers; known as BrickFilms or Legomations, many enthusiasts make short movies, or recreate famous scenes from feature films using Lego for the set and cast.

On a more serious note, Lego Serious Play, is a form of business consultancy, designed to foster creative thinking; participants work though imaginary scenarios, building metaphors of their identities and experiences using Lego bricks.

Lego's ability to keep up with the times, and adapt its product to popular themes has been the key to its continuing success, and as long as the company continue to innovate, it's likely that our grandchildren will still be playing with Lego in the years to come.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/corporate-articles/block-rocking-feats-the-legacy-of-lego-284286.html

About the Author:

Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.

Filed Under 2008 Top Toys, Big Kids, Lego · Leave a Comment

Will Elmo Live be the Hot Christmas Toy for 2008

August 6, 2008

The Question: Will Elmo Live be the hot Christmas toy for 2008

The Answer: We'll see

A perinneal favorite, Fischer Price's Elmo doll has always held it's own on top ten toy lists. The newest generation of Elmo dolls called Elmo Live is already the talk of this year's toy conventions and is receiving positive buzz well before the little ones have even gotten their hands on it.

According to an article on Associated Content

...Elmo Live will be the first Elmo doll that actually acts like the beloved Sesame Street Muppet character. According to Fisher Price's press release on Business Wire,"In this truly life-like creation, for the first time ever, Elmo seems to actually be speaking as his mouth opens and closes just like the real Muppet, Elmo, from Sesame Street.

His mannerisms are right on target as his head bobbles back and forth as he speaks. He waves his arms, sits and stands, even crosses his legs, all the while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games. Children can activate the magic with a tickle or a squeeze of Elmo's foot, tummy, back or nose."

Keep your eyes peeled for this 21st centure Elmo who is sure to be as popular, if not more so, than his predecessors like Tickle Me Elmo.

Read the full article at Associated Content.

Filed Under 2008 Top Toys, Elmo Live, Fuzzy and Cuddly, Little Kids · Leave a Comment

Using Webkinz Pets in the Classroom - Turning Toys Into Tools - Teaching With Technology

July 23, 2008

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By Kathy Cothran

Have you ever stood in front of your class presenting an action-filled lesson only to feel like your students were more interested in their toys and life outside of school?

So often the aspects of life that excite children the most are banned or excluded from the school curriculum. What would happen to our classrooms and the engagement levels of our students if we turn toys into learning tools? When I look inside the bags my daughters carry around with them everywhere I see their digital camera, Nintendo DS, phone, Webkinz pets, and an iPod. This made me ponder this idea: what if I could harness the enthusiasm kids have for their toys and turn them into learning tools?

As I was listening to my daughters play online one day I realized that the games they were playing weren't all arcade games but many are educational! Imagine that! Kids are raving about something that is actually educational too! I knew I needed to find out more.

If you aren't familiar with Webkinz pets, they are stuffed animals that come with an access code attached. You visit the Webkinz webpage and adopt your pet which gives you a virtual, animated pet identical to your stuffed animal. You must care for the health, hunger, and happiness of your pets. Within the world of Webkinz there is an extensive economy built around KinzCash. With the Kinzcash you earn from playing games you can purchase all kinds of items along with the food that your pet requires. If you aren't familiar with the world of Webkinz, ask any eight to ten-year-old child to give you a guided tour. Children are experts and usually very excited to teach something to an adult.

So I started asking kids what they would think about participating in some Webkinz-based activities during school. The faces of children were lighting up around me (which is every educator's desire, right?) and this clearly showed me that students would be excited to learn through these activities.

I began to create activities based on the world of Webkinz. Many of the activities could be utilized during literacy work stations. Whether children are building words in Quizzy's Word World, answering questions in Quizzy's Questions, creating a play with their pets, practicing math facts and typing, graphing their pet's hunger, growing plants in their gardens, mapping their house, or keeping track of their kinzcash, they would be learning!

Adopting classroom pets is an excellent way to begin using Webkinz pets in your classroom. In many cases, you will find that almost every child in your class probably has at least one Webkinz pet of their own. I have surveyed class after class of children and it is not easy to find a child that doesn't have at least one pet until you reach some sixth grade boys. Even then, the activities are good for that age group and beyond, so you may need a couple pets with unique logins for those students to use. I've even heard of high-school classes using Quizzy's Questions and Quizzy's Word World.

Amazingly, there are many adults who find themselves addicted to the world of Webkinz. So, if this is possible, there must be activities to engage students of all ages. I have played many of the games and can't even come close to the high scores, indicating to me that there are more than just children playing! I wonder if these adults have the stuffed animal sitting on their lap while they play like my daughters often do!

How will it change your enthusiasm for teaching if your students are eagerly awaiting the start of every school day?

Kathy Cothran is an elementary media specialist committed to helping teachers turn toys into learning tools. Her vast teaching experience ranges from preschool through Master's level education classes.

For years Kathy has been a "Gadget Girl." She loves technology! Tie that to her extensive teaching background and she has been able to interest, invigorate, and inspire children and teachers to use technology in a rich, exciting manner.

Find out more about teaching with webkinz pets and sign up for hot tips via email at http://teachingwithwebkinz.com

Interested in other ways that toys can become learning tools? Visit http://turningtoysintotools.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Cothran
http://EzineArticles.com/?Using-Webkinz-Pets-in-the-Classroom---Turning-Toys-Into-Tools---Teaching-With-Technology&id=1312884

Filed Under 2008 Top Toys, Fuzzy and Cuddly, Webkinz · Leave a Comment

The Wonderful World of Webkinz

July 22, 2008

Image by WoofBC via Flickr

In 2005, the Ganz company released a series of stuffed animals called the Webkinz. Today, they are among the most popular toys for children. What makes Webkinz unique from their other plush counterparts is the fact that they have secret 8-character codes on their labels that allow their owners to enter the "Webkinz World" website which is a virtual world that the toys inhabit. The smaller, more affordable sidekicks to the Webkinz are micro versions called "Lil' Kinz".

Like in the virtual world of Second Life, the Webkinz, too, have an online environment with its own economy that is funded by the purchase of additional Webkinz toys, trading cards and accessories with which they can communicate and visit with friends, shop online, pay Wacky Bingoz, buy swimming pools and any number of entertaining and sometimes downright bizarre activities.

Following in the tradition of Ty's Beanie Babies, the Webkinz come in the many species of the animal kingdom including a Webkinz panda, a Webkinz polar bear, Webkins poodles, lions, ducks, monkies and more.