Article Archives: What’s in the Attic?

It’s In The Cards

May 4, 2023 | by Linda Hamer Kennett

This column first appeared in May 2011. Remember the packs of sports trading cards from the 1970s and 80s? I recently stumbled across several boxes of them that I thought my son had taken when he bought his first home 12 years ago. But there they were, still in the … Read More

Their Work Was Child’s Play

April 26, 2023 | by Linda Hamer Kennett

This column first appeared in May 2011. The Fisher-Price Toy Company was formed in 1931 by Herman Fisher, Irving Price, and Helen M. Schelle. While none of the three had much experience in the field of toy manufacturing, they shared a vision to produce a line of toys that would … Read More

Another One for the Ooops Pile!

April 20, 2023 | by Linda Hamer Kennett

All of us who shop the yard sales and second hand shops have one. We may keep it in the corner of the garage or jammed into the back of a closet, but somewhere . . . we all have an OOOPS pile. The fine line between a bargain and … Read More

Somewhere in a Galaxy far far away. . .

April 13, 2023 | by Linda Hamer Kennett

When the Kenner Toy Company bought the rights to produce action figures based on George Lucas’ upcoming space saga Star Wars early in 1977, they were less than enthusiastic about the transaction. After all, the leading manufacturer of action figures at the time, The Mego Corporation, had passed on the … Read More

Mirror, Mirror

April 6, 2023 | by Linda Hamer Kennett

This column first appeared in June 2012. The year was 1919. Proper ladies did not work outside the home, education was considered of no use to the fairer sex, and if a woman had a political opinion, she found it best to keep it to herself. What a difference a … Read More