Toys of Christmas Past - Part 16 - Mr Machine

Mr Machine - Ideal Toys -  1961 -1978

Our entry for today is a toy from IDEAL called Mr Machine.  This was a combination, Erector Set, Model Car Kit, jigsaw puzzle and Robot.  He was a part wind-up robot mechanical man that could actually be taken apart and then (if you were skillful enough) put back together.  He stood about 18" tall and when wound up would roll across the floor swinging it's arms and ever few "steps" would ring a bell and make a mechanical "ah".  You could also see the "inner's" of the robot and watch the gears rotate as the robot moved.

The toy went through several variations.  The original toy was available from 1960 to the early 70's.  A reissue from IDEAL in 1978 was much like the original, except you could not take the toy apart (as safety concerns of the 70's came into play [choking hazard, you know] ).  Another re-issue in 2004 by Poof-Slinky (re:Slinky) featured much of the original toy, and could be taken apart.

Here is the original 1960's patent for the toy.

Here is an original add (Circa 1970's) for Mr Machine.

$11.97, what a bargain !

Finally, here is an original 1960's commercial for the toy.