Classic Etch A Sketch

Etch A Sketch is one of those toys that has stood the test of time. It's right up there with the hula hoop. I remember being very young and getting one of these for Christmas. It was so much fun... and when I learned to make steps, I thought that was something special. Looking at what has been accomplished today, those steps I made don't even compare.

Etch A Sketch was first invented right before I was born. Yep, July 12, 1960 is it's birth date and was originally created by Arthur Granjean, originally called The Magic Screen. Ohio Art, the manufacturers of this toy, saw it at a toy show and at first decided they weren't interested. When they saw it for the second time, they decided to take a chance marketing it. I'm sure glad they did, as I've had many hours of fun playing with this as a child and as an adult.

Etch A Sketch has not changed much since it was first introduced. It is still a bright red flat box that is 9 ½ inches wide. In the middle of the red frame is a gray surface where the pictures are drawn. There are two knobs on the bottom, one on the left side and one on the right side. These knobs are turned to move the horizontal and vertical rods inside the gray area to create your picture - you don't see the rods, it just looks as if your picture is magically appearing. If you make a mistake, simply turn over the Etch A Sketch and shake - your mistake has disappeared leaving you with a clean screen once again. It's a very simple premise and creating shapes is a breeze. However, creating a masterpiece is something that boggles my mind.

Actually the secret to the Etch A Sketch is that inside that gray area there is a mix of aluminum powder and plastic beads. When the stylus moves across the screen, it scrapes away the powder and beads leaving your line. Ok, that's the secret, but do we really need to tell people it's not magic?

When I was living in Arizona, I went to a client's home to consult on a remodeling project for his office. As I walked in, I noticed about ten Etch A Sketches hung on the wall. Upon closer inspection, I was amazed. He had drawn some of the most incredible pictures I had ever seen. One was a portrait of his girlfriend, another was a landscape, animals, and anything else you could imagine. How in the world could someone create these with an Etch A Sketch? He told me the trick was to have lots of patience and not bump the Etch A Sketch or you'd lose the picture. After he was done with his creations, he drilled a small hole in the back and emptied out the powder and beads to preserve the drawing.

My experience is one of just fun. Both of my daughters enjoyed their Etch A Sketches but we just made stairs and a few odd looking objects. It's a great toy to take on a road trip to keep everyone entertained. But when they want to argue, it's a guarantee that one will shake the other's Etch A Sketch and erase whatever was drawn.

Etch a Sketch also helps with hand coordination and motor skills. Turning the knobs the correct direction can help young children immensely. It can also be a tool used for rehabilitation to regain motor skills and coordination.

Etch a Sketch is inexpensive and can be enjoyed by just about everyone - the manufacturer recommends this for children ages 3 and up. If you have a budding artist, let him/her create a master piece. If you have a budding engineer, let him/her try to figure out how this thing works. Or if you have someone who just wants to enjoy playing with a great toy, this is perfect.