Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Toys of Christmas Past - Part 21 - Wizzzers

Wizzzers - Mattel - 1969 - 1975



The latest entry in the toy hit parade is a gyroscopic top toy from Mattel called Wizzzers, with 3 Z's !

1970's Wizzzer in it's original blister pack.

I had several of these as a kid and they were a load of fun.  To make the top spin, you would hold the top and arch your arm so the tip of the top stays on the ground to trace a path


Once going the Wizzzer top could keep spinning for up to a minute at a time.  Because it was based upon a gyroscope the momentum favored keeping the top upright instead of falling.  In the most basic moves you could balance the top on it's stand, or in your hand.  You could have Wizzzer battles or fights.

Wizzzer Catalog Ad showing various ways to balance and play with the Wizzzers

There were various trick books and accessories that you could purchase, such as a tray that was flat on one side and a maze on the other side.

Wizzzer Tray pictorial instructions

Wizzzer Tray accessory

There were other variations as well such as Mini-Wizzzers, can Wizzzers (The top would look like a can of soup or soda, etc.) and cars that the top would fit into and power the car with the spinning of the gyroscope.


Canned Wizzzer




Wizzzer Car


Here is a classic Wizzzer commercial from the 1970's





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