Space Hopper
Ride-on Toy
1968 (made)
1968 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The original Space Hoppers were introduced to the UK by toy makers Mettoy in 1968. They came in different sizes and the first ones produced were blue, but the most popular and iconic is the orange version. They became a huge craze of the 1970s. The hopper has been remade in many different forms and in more recent years the popularity for "retro" toys has seen the original orange hopper, with its smiley face and horns, make a return to the market.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Space Hopper (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Moulded rubber, printed |
| Brief description | Space hopper, orange vinyl ball with handles, Great Britain, 1968 |
| Physical description | Large, pear-shaped gymnastic ball made from heavy orange rubber. It has two handles, which resemble horns, at the top of the ball, and a black printed face on the front. There is a valve to inflate it using a bicycle pump. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Historical context | The original Space Hoppers were introduced to the UK by toy makers Mettoy in 1968. They came in different sizes and the first ones produced were blue, but the most popular and iconic is the orange version. They became a huge craze of the 1970s. The hopper has been remade in many different forms and in more recent years the popularity for "retro" toys has seen the original orange hopper, with its smiley face and horns, make a return to the market. |
| Production | Reason For Production: Retail |
| Summary | The original Space Hoppers were introduced to the UK by toy makers Mettoy in 1968. They came in different sizes and the first ones produced were blue, but the most popular and iconic is the orange version. They became a huge craze of the 1970s. The hopper has been remade in many different forms and in more recent years the popularity for "retro" toys has seen the original orange hopper, with its smiley face and horns, make a return to the market. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.87-2004 |
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| Record created | December 19, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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