The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-07
Supply for Christmas 7
Please Youngsters.
PIaythings for Riddles Are
Strictly Up-tO-Date.
TEDDY BEARS GROWL AND CRY
AerOplaneS, Autos and Many
Mechanical Toys on List.
Local Stores Are Well Stocked
With Goods.

The eyes of the youngster fairly bulge
when he gets a glimpse OF the fasci-
mating new Christmas toys that are in
the shops this season. While prices
have been advancing in respect tn
most commodities, there was probably
never time when so large a variety
OF strictly "up-to-now'' playthings
could be had at such low figure
Manufactures of articles that delight
the members of the younger generation
have not fallen into a rut. Competition
is keen, and they have employed TOW
experts at high salaries to devise con-
trivances that will appeal to the chill
dren who always prefer to keen strictly
up to the times in their choice of toys.
For example, miniature aeroplanes
automatic motor cycles and riders mo-
tor cars of latest type, all of which
can actually be manipulated, are
of 1912. In doll houses. the bungalow
style is all the rage; there is no de-
mand for the toys of a few years ago.
Many Mechanical Toys.
There is a particularly large assort-
ment in mechanical toys. A new kind
of incline railway manipulated by
twelve loaded shot, which will travel
thing that is taking the fancy of the
Riddles. motor cycle that goes
around and around In a circle without
any support is another ingenious toy.
A neat idea in mechanical toys is
an automatic dump cart. The funnel
at the upper end of an inclined plane
railway is filled with fine sand. Once
this is filled the toy is automatic and
will run until the sand is all carried
to the bin at the bottom of the chute.
When the cart goes to the top, pulled
by weight, it automatically releases a
valve which lets the sand from the
funnel into the cart. When the load
reaches a weight sufficiently TO over
balance the weight on the pulley, it
gravitates to the bottom of the incline.
where it automatically dumps its load
and is Immediately drawn up as be-
fore.
There are many electrical motors and
attachments on the market. The boys
are becoming more and more interested
in experimenting with electrical con-
trivances. Miniature electric light
bulbs may be had that are no bigger
than a hickory nut
Then there are washing machines
with wringers that will actually wash
and sewing machines, four inches high,
that also can be manipulated.
An Improvement on the toy grocery
stores, according to the Merchants
Journal, is a kitchen cabinet all
equipped with packages Of various pop
ular commodities TT is a fine ad for
manufacturers of foods as well as a
great thing for the children" is the
comment
For the Boy Scouts.
The popularity of Boy Scout organiza-
lions in the country convinced the man
ufacturers of toys that articles pro-
duced especially for scouts would be
good sellers. Consequently among
other articles the boys may procure
scout whistles and drum and cymbaI.
aside from other things that would nat
urally appeal to them.
Extremely life-like stuffed animals
are offered for the little tots. There
are animals of the jungles in variety.
The Teddy-bears have been improved to
such an extent that they now growl
and cry.
A toy that is a popular offering at a
low price is classed as a Kaleidoscope
novelty It is manufactured from tissue
paper attached to two cardboard wheels,
between which there is a short metal
axle having a cardboard tongue at
tached string by which the toy
can be drawn across the floor is at
tached to the tongue. When drawn
across the carpet or any rough sur
face the toy will revolve and present
a different play of colors with each
revolution. Reflectoscopes have almost
magic lanterns.
Several of the toy stores in Topeka
have their windows decorated in a man
ner to attract the attention of the
small boys and girls. The sale of toys
for Christmas is now in full swing.