Toy periscope
Hestair Kiddicraft
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1982
Materials
Plastic, cardboard, metal
Measurements
440 mm (height of Chatterpillar)
Place of origin
Italy
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 659351
Summary
A large green and red moulded plastic caterpillar, manufactured by Kiddicraft, used as a periscope, in original cardboard box (circa 1982). The toy has a 'special voice box'. On top of the Chatterpillar's head are two red antennae on springs. The eyes are blue and green printed oval shaped stickers. On the reverse of handle at the bottom end of the Chatterpillar is a mouthpiece which a child could speak into. There is a red push button on the front of the handle, which when operated opens the hinged white plastic convex mouth, to reveal an angled mirror, and thus allow the periscope to be used. Above the mouthpiece are two holes for the child to look through and see via the mirror objects higher than themselves. The Chatterpillar comes in its original blue cardboard box, which is decorated with a colour photograph of two children playing with the periscope. Total number of items is two
Marks and inscriptions
Box: Kiddicraft/ BETTER TOYS TO GROW UP WITH/ Chatterpillar/ Made in Italy. Hestair Kiddicraft/ 1979 Kenley, Surrey/ 3-7/ YEARS Front of box: Kiddicraft/ BETTER TOYS TO GROW UP WITH/ A fun Periscope/ At the touch of a button!/ Chatter/ pillar/ Hestair Kiddicraft/ KO 3501
Makers and roles
Hestair Kiddicraft , maker