Atomic Toys: Gilbert Problem Puzzles with Atomic Bomb

Atomic Advent Calendar: Day 23 Gift Idea

The A.C. Gilbert Company was known for creating the Erector Set and American Flyer trains, but quickly jumped on the atomic bandwagon with such classics as the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Laboratory and an entry in their classic Gilbert Problem Puzzles called “Atomic Bomb.”

Created in 1945, this dexterity puzzle game is one of the earliest toys and games with an atomic theme. The boxed problem puzzle set includes printed litho cards with such games as Ring a Tail, Radio Tube Trick, Hungry Pup, Trap a Sap, Topsy Turvy Rivets, and Atomic Bomb.

A later version licensed under the Fred-Alan Novelty Company explains the game:

The puzzle game made its debut shortly after the use of the atomic bombs after World War II. It’s hard to imagine a toy such as this being produced today and is an interesting snapshot of history.

Atomic Toys: Cold War Unicorns

Atomic Advent Calendar: Day 22 Gift Idea

Watch Freedom and Commie lock horns and battle for the soul of humanity. Can Commie’s horn of classless social structure hold up against Freedom’s hooves of capitalist opportunity? Play and find out.

Remember when the bad guys wore red and the good guys wore red, white, and blue? Complete with a scythe and hammer tattooed on his thigh, Commie is ready for action against Freedom, with mother-loving stars and bars waving proudly. Teach your kids all about the cold war by re-enacting some of the greatest moments: Berlin blockade and airlift, Francis Gary Powers, Sputnik, Cuban Missile Crisis, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and more!

Now only available through collector’s sites and eBay, these toys are but a distant memory, like the cold war.

Uranium Strike part of Fun for the Road games

Atomic Toys: Fun for the Road – Uranium Strike!

Atomic Advent Calendar: Day 21 Gift Idea

Fun for the Road games
Uranium Strike part of Fun for the Road games

Traveling in 1956 was tons of fun as long as you didn’t do anything to make your dad turn the car around! What better way to prevent disappointed dads than staying occupied with 15 different games for kids from six to sixty. Among the games included Town and Country Bingo, Rainbow Bingo, and Guided Missiles.

Who wouldn’t have fun creating boxes with your sister and making “strike” claims for uranium? You can have up to 4 games on a graphically-rich sheet of paper complete with a geiger counter, headphones, and a shovel.

Keep it in the glove box so that it’s handy for the kids. Take it on the train. Ask your neighbor on the bus to play a game or two.

Really just a game of Dots and Boxes, the ’50s had Uranium Fever.