#$&!%@ Magnets! 🧲 How Do They Work?
Classic Magnetic Toys: A Retro Roundup
Greetings once again, nostalgia fans, in my latest video, I give my patented “Reventification” treatment to the classic Wooly Willy magnetic toy. A project that didn’t go as intended, but I believe the finished result was even better than originally anticipated. You can download a template to make your own Wooly Willy project HERE.
Before digital screens, a handful of clever magnetic toys captivated kids with their simplicity, science, and sheer fun. Here’s a look at some iconic magnetic toys. (from oldest to newest)
Whee-Lo (1953 – Maggie Magnetic Co.)
This hypnotic toy used a magnetic wheel that seemed to defy gravity as it rolled back and forth along a metal track. Popularized in the 1950s and ‘60s, it remained a classic curiosity item for decades.
Wooly Willy (1955 – Smethport Specialty Co.)
Invented by Donald and James Herzog, Wooly Willy featured a cartoon face and iron filings sealed under plastic. Using a magnetic wand, kids could create goofy beards, eyebrows, and hairdos. It became a surprise hit thanks to its low price and high novelty.
Monster Magnet (1964 – Wham-O)
Shaped like a grinning red genie, Wham-O’s Monster Magnet was a large novelty horseshoe-style magnet. It wasn’t a game or puzzle—it was all about raw magnetic power. Kids used it to pick up nails, coins, or anything metal they could find.
Fisher-Price Magnetic Alphabet (1971 – Fisher-Price)
Bright, chunky plastic letters with embedded magnets turned refrigerator doors into makeshift classrooms. This durable educational toy helped preschoolers learn to spell and recognize letters in a tactile, hands-on way.
Magna Doodle (1974 – Pilot/Tyco)
Developed in Japan by Pilot Corporation and brought to the U.S. by Tyco, Magna Doodle used magnetic particles inside a sealed board. Kids could draw with the magnetic stylus and erase with a swipe, making it endlessly reusable and travel-friendly.
Geomag (1998 – Plastwood, Switzerland)
Combining magnetic rods and steel spheres, Geomag allowed kids to build geometric structures with surprising complexity. Introduced in the late ’90s, it remains popular among young engineers and design-minded adults alike.
Which magnetic toy zapped your imagination?
Drop us a note or share a photo of your favorite retro magnet-based toy!
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