I’m not completely sure how I stumbled across this this morning, but it’s one of those funny things that keeps me reading blogs and stuff on the web, and it’s one of those things that brings back memories. The story, from something called Radar Online, is “The 10 Most Dangerous Toys of All Time.” Most of what’s featured here pre-dates me, but who can possibly forget what the article called “the granddaddy” of all most dangerous toys. A quote:
Lawn Darts, or “Jarts,” as they were marketed, would never fly in our current ultra-paranoid, safety-helmeted, Dr. Phil toy culture. Lawn darts were massive weighted spears. You threw them. They stuck where they landed. If they happened to land in your skull, well, then you should have moved. During their brief (and generally awesome) reign in 1980s suburbia, Jarts racked up 6,700 injuries and four deaths.
he best part about Jarts was that they eliminated all speculation from true outdoor fun. (Is this dangerous? Hell yes, now chuck it!) And they were equal opportunity: All it took to play lawn darts was a sweaty grip. For good measure, it was also nice to have a small sibling around to stand on the other side of the house and tell you how your throw looked (and by how much you cleared the chimney).
Ah yes, good times, good times….