Chatter Telephone

The Chatter Telephone is a pull toy for toddlers 12 to 36 months of age.[1] Introduced in 1962 by the Fisher-Price company as the "Talk Back Phone" for infants and children, the Chatter Telephone 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]

Chatter Telephone
TypeToy telephone
CompanyFisher-Price
CountryUnited States
Availability1962 (1962)–present
MaterialsWood, plastic

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]

In 1985, Fisher-Price offered to donate a Chatter Telephone, Rock A Stack, and Activity Center to NASA for Senator Jake Garn to play with while on the STS-51-D space shuttle mission. This offer was rejected as NASA felt there was insufficient time to test the toys for safety.[11]

In 2003, the Chatter Telephone was listed as one of the 100 most memorable toys of the 20th century by the Toy Industry Association.[12]

In 2005, the Chatter Telephone was chosen as one of Dr. Toy's Best Classic Toys.[13]

Chatter Telephone appears in the 2010 animated film Toy Story 3 as a supporting character, helping Woody save his friends from Lotso. He is voiced by Teddy Newton and speaks with a film noir style, and a Brooklyn accent.[14]

In the 1999 movie, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, Elmo owns a chatter telephone.

The Chatter Telephone influenced a real-life art car created by Howard Davis for his telecommunications company.[15]

A Chatter Telephone appears on the cover of American rock band Thee Oh Sees' 2011 album Castlemania.

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References
  1. "Brilliant Basics™ Chatter Telephone®". Fisher-Price. Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  2. Coopee, Todd. "Chatter Phone from Fisher-Price (1962)". ToyTales.ca.
  3. "Louis Wiesel: Your Christmas Wond [sic] Fisher Price Toys". The Tuscaloosa News. 1963-12-05. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Germain, David (1992-12-25). "Kids Save the Day for Fisher Price". Gainesville Sun. AP. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
  8. "Retro Toys". WCTV Tallahassee Thomasville Valdosta. 28 December 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  9. "Fisher Price Chatter Telephone". www.backtobasicstoys.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2009. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  10. "Chatter Phone-Fisher Price Toys". Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  11. "Space senator's toys must be borrowed". The Spokesman Review. 1985-02-24. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  12. "Toy Industry Association Announces Its "Century of Toys List"". All Business. Business Wire. 2003-01-21. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  13. "Dr. Toy's Best Classic Toys, 2005". Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  14. Toy Story 3 on IMDb
  15. "The Phone Car". Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
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