Spacehopper
From Free net encyclopedia
The Spacehopper was a children's toy first produced in the 1960s, and was a clumsy form of vehicle.
How it worked
The Spacehopper was a heavy rubber balloon about 70 cm in diameter, with two rubber handles protruding from the top. A valve at the top allowed the balloon to be inflated by a bicycle pump or car-tyre pump.
A child would sit on top, holding the two handles, and bounce up and down until the balloon left the ground. By leaning, the driver could make the balloon bounce in a particular direction. In practical terms, this was probably the least efficient form of locomotion ever invented, even more inefficient than the pogo stick, but its simplicity, ease of use, low cost and cheerful appearance appealed to children. It was difficult to ride one, or watch one being ridden, without laughing. The product's name may have been inspired by the space race in progress at the time.
The balloon was decorated with a cartoon animal's face, so that the handles appeared to be the animal's ears or horns.
Origin
The Spacehopper was said to have been invented by Aquilino Cosani of Ledragomma, an Italian company that manufactured toy rubber balls. He patented the idea in Italy in 1968, and in the United States in 1971. The name Spacehopper was never registered, so many manufacturers have used it. Spacehoppers are still made today (as of 2004), including larger versions for adults.
UK versions
In the UK the Spacehopper was first made by the Mettoy toy company. The rare first version was blue, but in 1969 this was replaced by a smaller, much more popular orange version, which became a craze.