Retro, Vintage Toy Robots

It seems that ever seen mankind has looked to the stars, spaceships and robots have captured our imaginations, and that has been expressed for decades through the creation of all sorts of toy robots.

What's really fun about toy robots from the past is the funny, winsome and unique way they were designed. There's no way you won't recognize a robot toy design from the past when you see it, as it definitely has its own look and personality.

It's the very lack of complicated design that make this classic robots so desirable and collectible.

Usually these robots would have one, or at two, major colors, with some additional color on the feet and ears of the little guys.

As always, there are exceptions to that rule, but in general, the vast majority definitely bore those distinguishing traits.

Another fun feature of older toy robots was the eyes. They were almost always round, with an occasional dome-headed robot for variety.

This may have purposely been done to be more personal for the child playing with the robots.

It was that and those hilarious arms of the toy robots that made them so desirable to collectors, as well as the children that played with them in the past.

Here are a few samples of vintage toy robots, including some from the Japanese, who made a large number of them.

Talk about state of the art for the day. This Magic Robot was a wind-up toy which could also talk to you. Think of all the children that would have been enchanted and excited about having that at home to play with.

Notice the eyes and two-color schemed mentioned above. One unique feature was its feet, or lack of them. That was because it was a wind-up toy, and had to have that type of bottom to run.

What's not to like about Atomic Robotman? The name sells you before you see what it can do.

How about those goofy ears and top of the head? That's great isn't it. Again, you have the solid body color and the feet with a different color.

Those gadgets on the body of the robot also fit the part well.

This robot toy dubbed Mechanical Walking Spaceman was made by a company named Linemar.

If you look closely at his front, it almost looks like he has a drawer toolbox in the middle of his body and a cassette player above that.

That's not what they are of course, but it is fascinating to see the designs of this old toy robots.

Talk about being ahead of its time. Now if you were to have a similar robot, it would be called something like a "Screen Robot," and would include mobile features, Internet access, and all screen sizes with it.

In a prelude to wireless days, here's a great looking remote controlled robot from Nomura, It's connected by a cord.

How about that gun and the pack on his back. He looks ready for action and irresistible to play with. We surrender.

This plain and odd looking robot is highly desirable by collectors. Notice the little wind-up piece on the side.

Even though plain, it's interesting to see the attempt to make him look mechanical with the pieces in front and that thing going from the body to its neck.

The last time I knew of when this robot sold, it went for just under $2,600. That's not a typo, it sold for almost two thousand, six hundred dollars.

It's incredible how many of the vintage toy robots were made, and how popular they were to play with, and are just as popular today by those who grew up playing with them.

Some of the popularity is from people wanting to bring back the memories of their childhood, but also by those who just love to collect these unique piece of history.

I don't dare to start buying some of these, as it would start me off on another collectible sector, and then I would have to find some more storage space. On second thought, what's so bad about that?