MOBOTOYS
museum of battery operated toys
How it Works Gallery
Welcome to the HOW IT WORKS gallery. Here you will learn what makes these battery powered mechanical toys work from the inside-out. We can all appreciate the functional and fun found in each of these toys on the outside as intended. However, when we peel back the outer layer we can showcase the remarkably complex mechanical designs behind the (relatively) simple task, or what we call "The Art of the Design". See for yourself and be amazed at the art you can find on the inside as well as the outside. Keep exploring, the journey is the destination!
Click a Picture to Jump and explore
How it Works - Switchboard Operator(((((Exhibit 1245)
Early phone calls could not be completed without a human manually connecting the wire from"telephone 1" to the wire for "telephone 2". Calls were monitored for billing purposes. Simple in concept complex to work on a global level in a time before computers and calculators (click here to learn more) .
While not as complex as a real-life switchboard this toy certainly has its own intrinsic complexity. See for yourself in the video below.
The telephone has come a long way from a switchboard to wireless cell phones. Can you imagine what will be next?
How it Works: -
1958 Ford Police Car (Exhibit 0167)
Police cars really make great play toys. Lights and sirens blazing while chasing down the bad guys is always good fun. Here we have one of our favorite police cars in the collection. This one stands out with a great body style, tons of chrome trim an interior with depth and detail seldom found in battery operated cars. The inside is equally impressive with its mechanically spinning light and unique siren design. Enjoy the chase and Explore your world.
How it Works - Oldsmobile Toronado (Exhibit 0478)
While not the first front wheel drive car manufactured (Click here for more on front-wheel drive) the Tornado was a trailblazer during an era dominated by rear-wheel drive cars. Benefits of front-wheel drive include improved traction that "pulls the car through corners" and "flat floors" (no drive shaft tunnel to rear axle needed). This toy by Bandai includes both front-wheel drive and the pop-up headlights found on the full size version. See what makes this Tornado go in the video below!
How it Works - LineMAR Music Hall (((((Exhibit 1330)
Dogs playing piano's was a paw-pular (popular) but strange combination in the 1950s. This wonderful version by LineMAR of Japan features a popular melody (Lara's Theme from "Dr. Zhivago") played out on real bells inside using rotating hammers. CAMs control the movement of the hammers into the bells while connecting rods move the dog. Another great example of the exemplary engineering design that went into these fun and entertaining toys.
