Chicago Stories
Kids Review Vintage Toys
Clip: 10/9/2026 | 5m 13sVideo has Closed Captions
We asked kids to review three vintage toys created in Chicago.
We asked kids at the Oak Park Farmers Market to review three vintage toys that were created in Chicago: American Plastic Bricks, Mr. Machine, and the Furby.
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Chicago Stories is a local public television program presented by WTTW
Lead support for CHICAGO STORIES is provided by The Negaunee Foundation. Major support is provided by the Abra Prentice Foundation, Inc. and the TAWANI Foundation.
Chicago Stories
Kids Review Vintage Toys
Clip: 10/9/2026 | 5m 13sVideo has Closed Captions
We asked kids at the Oak Park Farmers Market to review three vintage toys that were created in Chicago: American Plastic Bricks, Mr. Machine, and the Furby.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(jaunty music) - This looks like something old.
- They're a bit hard to connect.
- It's like a really interesting and cool toy.
- Can you talk to me?
Hello?
Hello?
- I don't like it.
(jaunty music continues) (bricks clattering) - My great-grandma has these at her house.
- I'm making a wall.
- Look how big my wall is.
(bricks clattering) - These look like Legos.
- They remind me of Legos because they're the same type of toy.
- These are hard to connect.
- They're still cool, though.
- They're so wobbly.
- God, they really could have improved this.
- Ah!
- [Producer] So what year do you think this is from, if you could guess?
- I guess it was from at least a 19. at least 19-something.
- [Producer] Yeah.
- 19... 95.
- 2019?
- 1987.
- 1934.
- You can just build random creations with them so, that is what I like about these.
(playful music) (toy clicking) - This is cool.
- Doesn't do anything.
- Whoa, it can move.
- He's walking, he's walking.
- Eh!
(Mr.
Machine chirping) - Is he whistling or something?
- I think.
- Can he walk backwards?
No, he cannot.
- Look, the mouth can open like this.
- I have a train at home that's just like this, it's a gear train.
- I don't get, how does it even get air inside of it?
- Air's inside of everything.
- [Producer] Do you think your friends would like this toy?
- No.
- Maybe.
- No.
- I don't know.
- [Producer] Why not, Jonah?
- Because it's just so boring.
- [Producer] What do you think?
- It's okay.
- [Producer] So what year do you think this is from?
- Uh, 2001, maybe?
- [Producer] What about you, Carter?
- 2019.
- I mean, this looks like something old.
- 19... 60?
- [Producer] You nailed it!
- Wow.
- [Producer] It's from 1960.
- I like Mr.
Machine.
- You like him?
[Producer] Say "bye" to Mr.
Machine.
- Bye, Mr.
Machine.
- [Together] Furby!
- Furby!
- Cock-a-doodle-doo!
Hehehe!
(Furby chattering) - What's this?
(Furby chattering) - Oh.
I think my friend has one.
Her name is Isla.
- [Producer] Your friend or the Furby?
- My friend.
- My dad told me about him and he lived a long time ago.
- Okay, now it's like a chicken or a skunk or a penguin.
(Furby chattering) - He's hungry.
- Why is he not talking?
Talk, mister.
- That's crazy.
That's so funny.
- I don't think it's working.
(Furby) Whoa!
- [Producer] So, what year do you think the Furby's from?
- Why's he not talking?
- 1950.
- I would say 19... 92.
- 1999.
- 1998, so that's going to be the most lowest one.
- [Producer] Do you think he's cute or do you think he's creepy?
- [Together] Creepy.
(Furby) Whoa!
- Creepy.
- Creepy.
- I don't like it.
- [Producer] So what's your favorite part about the Furby?
- The weird voice.
- [Producer] What's the weirdest part?
- The weird voice.
(Producer laughing) - [Furby] Cock-a-doodle-doo!
Hehehe!
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport for PBS provided by:
Chicago Stories is a local public television program presented by WTTW
Lead support for CHICAGO STORIES is provided by The Negaunee Foundation. Major support is provided by the Abra Prentice Foundation, Inc. and the TAWANI Foundation.


















