Elmhurst Historical Museum exhibit tells Chicago’s ‘Toys’ story

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Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots is one of the children’s toys with local origins explored in the Elmhurst Historical Museum exhibit “Toys ’N the Hood.”

Updated: July 21, 2011 12:20AM

Chicago’s own toy story comes to life April 26 through Sept. 18 with Elmhurst Historical Museum’s “Toys ’N the Hood.” The fact that the Windy City is an epicenter for toy invention might surprise many; this exhibit details how that happened by focusing on toys created and/or produced in the Chicago area.

The brainchild of curator Lance Tawzer, in collaboration with Tim Walsh, author of Timeless Toys and the Playmakers Who Created Them, “Toys” focuses on the classics that came out of Chicago’s burgeoning toy invention industry during the 1950s and ’60s. Think Lincoln Logs (created by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son John), Radio Flyer wagons and trikes, Tinker Toys, Rock ’Em-Sock ’Em Robots, Beanie Babies and Tickle Me Elmo (created by Bruce Lund of Lund and Co. Inventions in River Forest).

“All of these toys really started with an idea somehow,” said Patrice Roche, EHM’s marketing and communication specialist. “How do you take ideas and turn them into toys? That’s really what ‘Toys ’N the Hood’ is all about — it’s about inventors, these creative inventors who came up with what might be a crazy, outlandish or even sometimes a simple idea and turned them into toys. Some of them have really become kind of iconic toys.”

Bloomingdale resident John Spinello is one of the inventors featured in “Toys.” As an engineering student at the University of Illinois in 1962, Spinello designed an electric box with a metal probe. The box had a series of holes and channels into which players tried to insert the probe without touching the sides — if they did, an alarm sounded. His godfather was a model maker at Marvin Glass & Associates, one of Chicago’s emerging toy workshops, so Spinello took his project to owner Marvin Glass.

Glass’ immediate reaction was disdain, but Spinello convinced him to give the toy a try.

“When he shorted it out, the thing arced, the bell rang and he jumped out his seat and he threw his hands up in the air and said, ‘I love it,’” Spinello said.

The rest is history. Glass offered — and Spinello accepted — $500 for rights to the game (with Spinello’s name on the patent) and a job upon graduation. Glass reneged on the job offer, in 1965 the game was marketed by Milton Bradley as the Operation game we know today and Spinello worked in industrial design for 10 years until Glass died. With college friend Jeff Breslow as a managing partner at Marvin Glass, Spinello was invited to join the creative team. Spinello jumped at the chance.

“It was like I died and went to heaven. It was absolutely a wonderful position,” he said. “The creativity in the building was fantastic.”

Today, Spinello owns and operates a Chicago warehouse and trucking firm with his son. His original prototype will be on display along with a life-size, playable version of Operation. Spinello will be on hand to play the game at the June 26 Toy Fair.

Other exhibit highlights include toy artifacts; hands-on toy stations; “Toy Land,” Walsh’s documentary about bringing a toy to market; and Toy Invention TV, an oversized 1960s television with a vintage remote control. The interactive display walks visitors through how to turn an idea into a toy; it stars Chicagoan Kim Vandenbroucke, inventor of Scattergories.

“Toys” also offers special events geared toward families. From 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays from June 21 through Aug. 16, kids can drop in for toy-themed craft workshops ($2). During the free Toy Fair Extravaganza, from 1 to 5 p.m. June 26, the museum and its grounds will turn into a giant festival with a Lincoln Log-building contest, games, prizes and more.

EARTH DAY HAPPENINGS

† The Museum of Science and Industry marks Earth Day, April 22, with the reopening of its redesigned Smart Home: Green + Wired. First opened in 2008, the eco-friendly home has been redesigned each year since. This version emphasizes recycling through the reuse and repurposing of household items. It also showcases the latest home gadgets. MSI is at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive. Admission is $25 for adults, $15 for kids ages 3-11. Call (773) 684-1414 or visit msichicago.org.

† Learn more about global warming during Brookfield Zoo’s Party for the Planet from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 23. The event highlights polar bears and how global warming affects them. Festivities include live entertainment, crafts, zoo chats and electronics recycling (1 to 6 p.m. April 22-23 in the main parking lot, 31st Street and First Avenue in Brookfield). Admission is $13 for adults, $9.50 for kids 3-11. Parking is $9. Call (708) 688-8000 or visit czs.org.

Jennifer Burklow is a local free-lance writer.