 Modern version of the Chatter Telephone | |
| Type | Toy telephone |
|---|---|
| Company | Fisher-Price |
| Country | United States |
| Availability | 1961–present |
| Materials | Wood, plastic |
| Slogan | "Look who's talking now!" |
The Chatter Telephone is a pull toy for toddlers 12 to 36 months of age.[1] Introduced in 1961 by the Fisher-Price company as the "Talk Back Phone" for infants and children, which was updated to the name Chatter Telephone in 1962, is a roll along pull toy. It has a smiling face, and when the toy is pulled, it makes a chattering sound and the eyes move up and down. The toy has a rotary dial that rings a bell, and was conceived as a way to teach children how to dial a phone.[2]
The original version was made of wood, with a polyethylene receiver and cord.[3] In 2000, Fisher-Price changed the rotary dial for a push-button version with lights in an effort to modernize the toy, but consumers complained and the rotary version returned to the market the following year.[4] The Chatter Telephone was designed by Ernest Thornell,[5] whose daughter Tina would drag around a metal phone while playing. This gave him the idea of adding wheels, which with a bent axle permitted the movement of eyes, adding to the "whimsical" nature, that Herman Fisher desired of all Fisher-Price toys (from phone conversation with Ernie Thornell and recollections of Herm Fisher by John Smith).
From its introduction through the 1970s, the Chatter Telephone was Fisher-Price's best selling product.[6] It has been cited as one of the company's offerings that helped save Fisher Price in the 1990s following a failed attempt to market toys for older children in the late 1980s,[7] and enjoys continuing popularity.[8] It is available both as an authentic reproduction[9] and in a modern form.[10]
- ^ "Brilliant Basics™ Chatter Telephone®". Fisher-Price. Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
- ^ Coopee, Todd (11 April 2016). "Chatter Phone from Fisher-Price (1962)". ToyTales.ca.
- ^ "Louis Wiesel: Your Christmas Wond [sic] Fisher Price Toys". The Tuscaloosa News. 1963-12-05. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Barnes, Julian (2001-02-10). "Where Did You Go, Raggedy Ann?; Toys in the Age of Electronics". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Shared in a phone conversation on 8-31-16 between Eric Smith and Mr. Thornell; he went on to share that the inspiration for the toy came from his daughter.
- ^ Moss, Meredith (1980-12-09). "Flash is fine but kids still go for classic toys". The Miami News. The Cox News Service. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Germain, David (1992-12-25). "Kids Save the Day for Fisher Price". Gainesville Sun. AP. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
- ^ "Retro Toys". WCTV Tallahassee Thomasville Valdosta. 28 December 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ "Fisher Price Chatter Telephone". www.backtobasicstoys.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2009. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ "Chatter Phone-Fisher Price Toys". Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2010.