kinetic - Anything In Particular

Vintage Chromed Kinetic Balance Novelty Desk Toy – Horse Rider

Jon Nix — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 10:57:00 +0000

A commonplace item back in the 1970s and 1980s, these "executive" novelties have a certain charm to them even now. This one is the "horse rider" variant and rocks back and forth on its podium until it runs out of steam, and is of good weight and construction (unlike some contemporary wannabees).

Measures approximately 11cm (4¼ in.) in length (from back foot to nose), with a height of 7.5 cm (3 in.)
The podium measures approximately 5cm / 2 in. in height with a diameter of 2cm (¾ in.) Has some signs of both age and use but generally in very good condition.

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Vintage “Space Wheel” Kinetic Perpetual Desktop Motion Toy made by Downpace Ltd.

Jon Nix — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 18:53:59 +0000

Very uncommon and very captivating, this is the "Space Wheel", made in Taiwan and sold by Downpace. It's a kinetic, perpetual motion toy which uses the power of a magnetic field to help propel a three-legged "wheel" back and forth across it. On a black plastic base with clear acrylic, the Space Wheel is a simple but elegant piece of desktop distraction. See it working here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkX7vkPIIMa/

This one is complete and boxed with only very minor signs of age and wear, and includes some intriguingly titled and worded "instructions". Assembling the Space Wheel requires no tools or glue - the runners simply slot into the base, a HP7/PP3 battery is inserted on the connectors on the inside of the base, and, with a gentle nudge from one end of the runners, the wheel will find momentum and keep going until removed.

When assembled, the Space Wheel measures approximately 33cm (11 in.) across, with a height of about 7.5cm (3 in.) and depth of 6.5cm (2½ in.).

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“Rocking Fellow” 1970s Chromed Desktop Balancing Kinetic Toy

Jon Nix — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 19:46:36 +0000

As common as flares in the 1970s, figures such as this "Rocking Fellow" were found on many a desk or shelf as a novelty item. This one, most likely made by Mr. Man in Taiwan or Otagiri in Japan, is a balancing figure who rocks back and forth on a chromed podium via his weighted balance bar. The "Rocking Fellow" is one of a series of figures with varying balance and movement poses.

The figure is in good visual condition. The podium has some pitting but is generally good, whilst the box is in reasonable shape bar some surface loss where some ill-advisedly applied tape has been removed.

When assembled measures approximately 13cm high by 13cm wide.

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