The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-20
SCIENTIFIC I OyS
MUCH IN EVIDEN nee
ON TOYLAND TRIP
War Toys Cast Into Discard
and Constructive Idea Pre-
vaiIS-DoIls Are Up
to Date

Taking a trip through "toyland" =
few Yeas past was practically the
same as passing through "fairyland,"
but today the eyes of the busy pubii ,
has been attracted to the marvellous
strides which have been made In
science, and the toy floors of Biz
mingham's big department stores now
take on the aspect of an exhibition
of new inventions and construction
work shown in federal patent Of
flee.
For children with a mechanical
trend OF mind there are complete
i trains, with many feet of tracking.
run by machinery placed in the en-
CINE. Various other kinds of minia-
ture stea mengines have alcohol
/ lamps attached with which to create
steam from the boiler tanks. Elec-
trical apparatus of all descriptions.
terested in the working of electricity,
are on display.
/ The moving picture machines are
| meeting with the approval of the
older children. and especially tho t.
! year-old boy. These machines are
!, equipped with zoo feet of films. and
flash pictures OF various sizes Nina
ture radio sets are also a novel fea :
ture for small children, and with
these they are learning the various
parts OF 4 real radio outfit.
War Toys Passe
Practically all suggestions OF the
World war are forgotten this year,
and so far as Santa Claus himself is
concerned the war is "passe," be-
cause he is of the opinion that toy
aeroplanes. biplanes. machine guns.
tanks. battleships. ct cetera, are not
necessary in educating the American
youth to world peace. The toy air
planes and machine guns may be
found in "toyland." but are not much
featured
/ The opposite line OF thought is car
ried out at this time. being that Of
| construction instead OF destruction,
and many are the sets of miniature
| skyscrapers. with pulleys and ele-
vators and steel bars. ready to be set
in place by any child. there being di-
rections how to fit each piece of the
equipment, including cogs, levers. etc.
! A miniature hardware department is
also on display where handsome tool
! chests containing every conceiv-
able tool, is to be found-spades.
shovels, picks. rakes. which would
at once lead ehild's thoughts to the
out-of-doors to play farmer
Dolls Up to Date
| For the little girls, science has
tmade great change, and tho rag
IDOL. which has been handed down
from her grandmother, is now a thing
of forgotten days; also the exquisite
china dolls which formerly were
made in Germany. In their stead
there are character dolls representing
various types of folk, while perhaps
the baby doll. which catches the eyes
Of the average child, are those who
have learned to walk. 10 talk, saying
| Mama" to cry and to sleep.
OF course. baby must have a crib
and a home. SO the furniture depart
ments have not been neglected, and
it is here that one finds everything
from an up-to-date and completely
furnished kitchen cabinet. large
enough for 10-year-old child. to a
Handsome miniature piano; also Trim
ity church chimes. Real stoves are
in evidence, too. and the little house
wives can do real cooking, but OF
course on a small scale.
Automobiles Popular
The toy automobiles, which appeal
to both sexes. are proving very pop
ular along with velocipedes and kiddy
car The automobiles are equipped
in every respect. just like dads. with
the exception of the gasoline, the
ones on display being pulled by
pedals.
Footballs and football ormors are
being sold rapidly, also gloves for
Juvenile boxers. Miniature tennis
sets are to be had, and the national
game OF baseball is not forgotten,
being played on a cardboard for q
diamond. with a spinner for the
players. showing their strikes and
hits. This game is proving popular
because it is the one out-of-doors
game which can be played with much
/ enthusiasm by youthful fans during
the winter months at their own fire.
side.
Hunspty Dumpty Circus
The circus. one OF Americas great
| institutions. is proving feature, and
the Humpty Dumpty circus sets are
meeting the hearty approval of the
public. These sets are a miniature
Reproduction of the big show under
a big tent
During the holidays children OF
Birmingham will be busy playing
with the wonderful toys and learning
the many games which Santa Claus
will leave with them Christmas Eve.
Santa Claus himself was visitor
at the toy department of Loyeman,
Joseph e. Loeb Tuesday afternoon,
and many bright-eyed and happy
children gathered up their. courage
and greeted him with welcoming
handshake. He had a word and a
smile for each OF them, and was al
! most overwhelmed with questions
propounded by the little folk who
wish to know If he was sure he had
/ received their letters.