Good Morning,
In the 1950s, I was in my pre-pubescent years. Like most kids of that age my interests hinged around my heroes like Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans and the colorful sidekick character Gabby Hayes. Yea I know, they were cowboys and you can bet I had the hat, holster, gun and metal lunchbox to match.
It was during that time in the early fifties (1951) that cereal companies put real toys in the boxes. One that I especially liked and managed to get was the Gabby Hayes Cannon Ring. Designed especially for shooting Quaker Puffed Rice or Puffed Wheat and a great way of shooting your breakfast cereal across the room. As I recall, our parakeet didn’t like it much though. It had a brass ring with an aluminum spring-loaded cannon mounted on top. Now that was a real toy to get out of a cereal box! As you know, I’m not one to throw things away, but I have no idea where mine is today, only 57 years later. I did notice that one sold recently for $117 at auction. Guess I should have kept it.
A few years later in 1954, the world’s first atomic submarine was launched (USS Nautilus). I su
spect it was named after the submarine in the Jules Verne story, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Timed perfectly with the launch of the new atomic submarine was Baking Powder Submarines offered in cereal boxes. I got my first one in Kellog’s Raisin Brand and was fascinated to watch it surface and submerge. It was then essential that I order the larger version by sending in the cereal box top and 
a quarter. The bigger one was even more impressive. Well, at least for a kid my age anyway. From what I have read, this one little toy of which millions were made, took Hirch Labs from a cosmetics company to a toy company and made Kellogs and Clabber Girl nice profits. The little subs are still available today for about $3.95. Hey, no batteries, it doesn’t get much better.
By 1957, I’m 12 and can play with fire. I was actually doing that before 12, but this sounds better. A
friend of mine got a Putt Putt Boat. An amazing little boat that only required a candle to make it run. Just lite it up, put it in the water and voilà, the little tin boat takes off happily putt putting around the pond it is in. Of course I had to have one. I did and still have one today. It is a toy that has been around for over a century and still fascinates. I’ll have to get it out again one of these days, just to hear to the “Putt Putt” one more time.
Toys were simpler then. Erector Sets, Lincoln Logs, Lionel Electric Trains and plastic models, they all required much more imagination on the part of the owner, but somehow I cannot help thinking that they were also a great exercise for developing the creative mind.
Remember to let the kid out now and then and have some simple fun.
Love, Dad
One more thing, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was the first movie my dad and I went to see together. I still remember it, as it was a special occasion.
Hopalong Cassidy Photo: Hollywoodcultmovies
Gabby Hayes Cannon Ring: Smithhousetoys
Baking Powder Submarines: Everything you wanted to know and more & I remember JFK
Putt Putt Boat Photo: Puttputtboats
History of Putt Putt Boats: The Pop Pop Pages
Video of a Putt Putt Boat: youtube video