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This object consists of 15 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Talking School Bus

Educational Toy
1987 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Pre-school electronic learning toy. The kit contains an instruction manual, a song card, stickers, and a cube-guide. The toy consists of a plastic yellow school bus with black wheels and a driver, above which is a speaker. Lessons are given by the 'computer voice'. The bus has a handle so that it can be carried. There are five windows in the side of the bus into which a user can insert the coloured blocks, of which there are eight. Each block has a combination of letters, animal pictures and numbers. To the right of the window is a dial with various choices - numbers, counting, spelling, music, Tells It, letters. The dial can be turned to a choice and instructions are 'given' by the driver, for example it will ask for a letter and the user is told whether their choice of block is correct or not. Songs may also be played.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 15 parts.

  • Packaging
  • Computer
  • Cube
  • Cube
  • Cube
  • Cube
  • Cube
  • Cube
  • Cube
  • Cube
  • Stickers
  • Card
  • Sheet
  • Instructions
  • Leaflet
TitleTalking School Bus (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Plastic, electronic components, printed card and paper
Brief description
Talking School Bus, box; Card, Hong Kong, V-Tech, 1987
Physical description
Pre-school electronic learning toy. The kit contains an instruction manual, a song card, stickers, and a cube-guide. The toy consists of a plastic yellow school bus with black wheels and a driver, above which is a speaker. Lessons are given by the 'computer voice'. The bus has a handle so that it can be carried. There are five windows in the side of the bus into which a user can insert the coloured blocks, of which there are eight. Each block has a combination of letters, animal pictures and numbers. To the right of the window is a dial with various choices - numbers, counting, spelling, music, Tells It, letters. The dial can be turned to a choice and instructions are 'given' by the driver, for example it will ask for a letter and the user is told whether their choice of block is correct or not. Songs may also be played.
Dimensions
  • Bus height: 250mm
  • Bus width: 350mm
  • Bus depth: 55mm
  • Cubes height: 45mm
  • Cubes width: 45mm
  • Cubes depth: 45mm
  • Box height: 335mm
  • Box width: 39mm
  • Box depth: 11mm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'For ages 2½ and up' (Printed on front of box, top left.)
  • 'TALKING / SCHOOL BUS' (Printed on front of box)
  • 'A pre-school vehicle / for electronic learning' (Printed on front of box)
  • '8 computer blocks make learning numbers, letters, / matching, counting, spelling and music fun' (Printed on front of box)
  • 'Friendly, clear voice helps child learn step-by-step' (Printed on front of box)
  • 'Two helper cards included' (Printed on front of box)
  • 'Built-in block storage and tote-along handle make it / easy to take wherever you go' (Printed on front of box)
  • 'Automatic "shut off" when not in use' (Printed on front of box)
  • 'Requires 6 "AA" batteries (not included)' (Printed on front of box)
Gallery label
(01/07/2023)
Numbers

Toddlers instinctively understand numbers and are aware of how many things there are in a set. Counting follows as their language skills develop to put this into words.

Tools to help with counting, like abacuses, have existed for thousands of years. In the 1980s, designers began creating electronic toys to help children to learn through technology.

1 Talking School Bus
Designer: VTech
Date: 1987
Location: Designed USA, manufactured Hong Kong
Materials: Plastic, electronics
Museum no. MISC.198-1990

2 Abacus
Designer: Probably Britoy
Date: About 1987
Location: England
Materials: Wood
Museum no. MISC.395-1987

[Young V&A, Design Gallery, Design helps us to learn, group object label]
Credit line
Given by Richard Prescott / Barbara Attenborough Associates
Object history
Given by Richard Prescott / Barbara Attenborough Associates [89/155]. On entry it was noted that it was 'in mint condition in original box.'
Subjects depicted
Collection
Accession number
MISC.198-1990

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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