Feb 1, 2022
Continuing from last month, here’s some nostalgia for some of the great fads from the 1950s and 60s. Clothes, hairstyles, toys, and television shows all have their fifteen minutes of fame.
The faddish 1960s turned out to be very productive years for the clothing and fashion industry. At Medfield High School in the early to mid-60s, madras shirts, white Levis, corduroy slacks, penny loafers, and for every occasion, white socks.
Madras shirts were imported from India. The colors were bright red, orange, yellow, and light blue, all combined beautifully in a pattern equal to the pallet of a skilled painter. Students shopped at Swenson’s in Walpole or at Jordan Marsh at Shoppers’ World in Framingham, and at other local stores for madras, white Levis, and corduroy slacks.
Many people in Medfield remember the drive-in theaters that were a smash hit with families and with young couples out on a date. Find a space, hang the sound box from the window, and enjoy. The snack bars at the drive-ins had a wide variety of food, candy, popcorn, soda, coffee, and hot cocoa. What was not to love? (Maybe the mosquitoes and the dim pictures?)
In the 1950s there were some 5,000 drive-ins across the country in that pre-home theater decade. Fewer than 500 remain. There are only five in Massachusetts: Wellfleet, Mendon, Leicester, Northfield, and West Springfield.
Before long, 3-D movies came to movie houses and drive-ins. The first experimental 3-D movie dated from 1915, improved technology led to a 3-D boom from 1952-54. Moviegoers wore 3-D glasses. Some of the earliest movies shown in 3-D were Helen of Troy, Camp On Blood Island, and House On Haunted Hill, all very dramatic excursions noted by the Boston Herald’s acclaimed movie critic, Elliot Norton.
Sixty years later, 3-D movies still get rave reviews. If a family wants to go to an outdoor movie, like other movie buffs, check out the outdoor theater in Mendon, Massachusetts. Many audiences were excited to watch James Cameron’s, Avatar, when it played there over 15 years ago. The outdoor, drive-in theater in Mendon, which can accommodate 800 cars, opened in June 14th, 1954. It’s now owned by Dave Andelman, who purchased the drive-in back in March of 2014.
The Frisbee, launched in 1959, is one of the most successful and durable fads. Like the hula hoop, the Frisbee was made by WHAM-O, which later brought out Slip-N-Slide and Silly String.
For over 60 years the Frisbee has been a favorite with men, women, boys, girls, and dogs of both sexes. It’s a gliding toy made of injection-molded plastic and about 8 to 10 inches in diameter with a pronounced lip curling in. It’s used recreationally and competitively for throwing and catching, as in flying disc games. The shape of the disk is an airfoil in cross-section, which allows it to fly by reducing the drag and increasing lift as it moves through the air. Spinning the disk imparts a stabilizing gyroscopic force, allowing it to be both aimed with accuracy and thrown for distance. Who ever thought that throwing and spinning a Frisbee contributed to the wonders of flight and modern technology?
Frisbees are an enduring fad. Over the many years the design of Frisbees has become more and more sophisticated with quality of the disk becoming even more aerodynamic and flexible. Playing with the Frisbee is a recreation that’s for the young and old. Frisbees have spawned several games, including Frisbee golf, which can be played at upwards at 7,000 frisbee golf courses. According to Wikipedia, Chris Dickerson, the best-paid frisbee golfer, has career earnings of $46,430. The Aerobie is a tunable lightweight ring which can travel further than a Frisbee. A Frisbee cylinder has been thrown 655 feet.
Fads are helpful for creating interesting social media and short-term ad campaigns. Using fads in marketing and advertising can increase awareness, demonstrate the timeliness of an organization, and serve as a gateway for new audiences, all of which are important.
But it’s important to remember that fads don’t last long. Notable fads that had short runs would have been the Cabbage Patch Kid and Tickle Me Elmo Dolls. Barbie Dolls and Legos may have lasted a bit longer, but GI-Joe plastic figures have been all but forgotten. The Slinky toy that was one very large spring that could move gracefully down stairs had a few years of popularity, as did small spinning gyroscopes. But those inventions had limited fun and uses.
One group activity that’s almost never seen today is playing with marbles. Most Medfield kids who enthusiastically played marbles bought them at Lord’s or Wills’. They came in many colors and sizes while providing many hours of fun, skill, entertainment and competition.
One toy that is definitely not a passing fad is the yo-yo.
Fads can be helpful in reaching goals, creating lasting relationships based on interest, and continue to be fun and exciting. Fads have been and will be with us for as long as our sense of adventure and inventiveness remains enthusiastic, flexible and competitive.