Fads and products of the 1980's that are either no longer made or are a classic novelty.

Wacky Wall Walkers

This inventive toy which resembled the shape of an octopus was molded out of a tacky elastomer making it extremely sticky so when someone would throw it against a wall it would slowly walk or crawl down. The best part was when the object would begin to lose its stickiness people could simply wash their Wacky Wall Walker (that came in a variety of colors) and it would return to its original sticky form. They were the coolest thing in 1983 and it is estimated that over 240 million Wacky Wall Walkers were sold worldwide. They even came in specially marked boxes of cereal but apparently my timing was off since when I hurriedly opened the box of cereal and found a small plastic bag inside I discovered it was not my Wacky Wall Walker as expected but rather several lousy stickers (and some stupid toy I think I immediately broke out of anger) along with a disclaimer explaining that the company was no longer permitted to send out wacky Wall Walkers which was an even bigger disappointment since I lied and told my mom I liked the cereal when in reality I couldn't stand it and just wanted my Wacky Wall Walker.

Smurf-Berry Crunch

Due to the immense popularity of the Smurf's, Post Cereal created Smurf-Berry Crunch in 1983 which contained red and blue sweetened corn puffs in the shape of berries otherwise known as Smurf-Berries and was so gnarly because it made the milk become a blue-purplish color. Something most kids thought was cool yet the majority of adults did not since it was only in production for a short period of time. The manufacturers must have been out of their Smurfin' minds to have discontinued such a neat, colorful and highly sugared cereal.

Bonkers

Developed in the mid-eighties by Nabisco, Bonkers was a soft fruit candy with an even fruitier chewy center and their commercials were unquestionably diverting by having what was supposed to be an enormous piece of fruit falling from up above onto people when they would eat the candy which then caused them to erupt in uncontrollable laughter followed by the announcer saying the phrase, "Bonkers Bonks you out!"

Though numerous fruit flavored candies have come and gone in the past twenty years not many can equate to the major taste Bonkers had nor could generate sales in which the product did resulting directly from such amusing commercials. Honestly, who wouldn't enjoy watching someone almost become crushed by a gigantic piece of fruit?

Tato Skins

In 1987 Keebler came out with the most delectable potato chips made with real potato skins and the commercial having the Keebler Elf running on the potato peeler accompanied by the cutest jingle made it even more enticing to want to try. If only we could bring back Tato Skins I'm sure it would bring joy to many people including the Keebler Elves.

"My Buddy"

Developed in 1985 by Hasbro "My Buddy" designed specifically for boys stood almost two foot tall and came with his own outfit including a striped shirt, overalls, baseball cap and sneakers (which were all removable) available as a brunette, blonde, redhead or African American and the catchy singsong that went along with the commercial fit perfectly. Due to the tremendous success of "My Buddy" the company introduced "Kid Sister" for girls the same year. By the 1990's; however, Hasbro was no longer producing the dolls which were now being made by Playskool and while the clothing had become sewn onto the body the dolls still looked similar to those from the 1980's in addition to new models that were created. Most importantly is the insinuation surrounding the case that "My Buddy" is the idea behind the doll Chucky from all the Child's Play movies due to the fact that they both resemble each other in size and appearance. Whether or not the story is true remains a mystery but I'm sure it's comforting to many people knowing that a doll created especially as a playmate for young boys is associated if only by rumor with another doll that comes to life and tries to kill people.

Rubik's Cube

A rage unlike any other began in the early '80s called the Rubik's Cube which was invented by a Hungarian named Erno Rubik who had previously studied architecture and interior design at the Academy of Applied Arts and Crafts of Interior Design in Budapest, Hungary and eventually became a professor who taught at the academy. At his leisure Erno Rubik worked on three dimensional designs and in 1974 he invented what was called the "magic cube" at the time. Then in 1975 he patented it followed by the cube being put on the market and first released in toy shops in Budapest, Hungary in 1977. In 1980 Erno Rubik licensed the "magic cube" to Ideal Toy Cooperation who renamed it the Rubik's Cube and it was then introduced to the U.S. along with the rest of the world.

The Rubik's Cube was a plastic cube made up of six sides comprised of nine separate smaller colored stickered squares in each side totaling fifty-four colored squares aligned together, but once twisted whether forward, backward, horizontal or vertical the gadget looked completely different than it had been before it was moved. As the multi-colored squares were now jumbled all around, the object was to make the cube appear perfect as it had been originally which was practically impossible for most people since it is estimated that there are more than forty-three quintillion configurations (as unbelievable as it may seem) yet only one correct formation.

For people who went from being slightly aggravated to becoming exceptionally furious in attempting to get their Rubik's Cube back to its initial form there were colored stickers in which they could purchase to make their cube as flawless as it once was or other alternative measures could have been taken. Such measures may have included smashing the Rubik's Cube on a hard surface, throwing it against something solid, for example a brick wall, taking a hammer to the cube or for people who had gone from being greatly annoyed to now becoming violent they could have driven over their Rubik's Cube with a vehicle or any type of machinery of their choice depending upon the individual.

Between the years of 1980 through 1982 over 100 million Rubik's Cubes were sold nationwide and while it was categorized as a toy or a gadget people ranging from kids to adults and even mathemeticians and scientists have found it extremely challenging. The Rubik's Cube has been listed as being the world's biggest and fastest selling toy in history and became so popular that June 5, 1982 marked the first Rubik's Cube World Championship held in Budapest, Hungary and there have been various other competitions throughout the world since. The Rubik's Cube was so in demand it spawned the Rubik's Revenge as well as the Rubik's Snake.

As a result of the humungous success of the Rubik's Cube there have been over 300 million imitations but none that come close to the original. The phenomenon was so widely spread that over 100 books have been published regarding the Rubik's Cube and in 1983 a cartoon was developed by Hanna Barbera Productions called Rubik, the Amazing Cube as part of the program "The Pac-Man/Rubik, the Amazing Cube Hour" that aired twelve episodes on Saturday mornings which ran for one season. However, by that time the Rubik's Cube mania had begun to disappear almost as quickly as it emerged. Due to his ingenious invention, creator Erno Rubik is known as the most successful man in Budapest, Hungary and became the first millionaire in a communist country. The Rubik's Cube has not entirely vanished as discussions still arise pertaining to subjects particularly mathematics and science.

The Rubik's Cube is one of the most incredible discoveries ever created because it is extraordinarily difficult for one to change it back to its original appearance (unless they are a wiz when it comes to solving conformations) and whether people take it lightly as simply trying to figure out the correct solution to a toy or become obsessed with striving to master the cube either way the Rubik's Cube is something that's as perplexing as it is fun.