CLASSIC FADS:

SLINKY: This classic coil spring action toy has been slinking into the hearts of American kids and adults since it was invented in 1949. It is still made in Hollidaysburg, PA, by Betty James, or Mrs. Slinky, as I call her. This is the classic of all classic fads.

PET ROCK: Who would have the guts to put a rock in a box, write a training manual, and sell it as a gift item--only Gary Dahl of San Jose. This is the fad of all fads, the most outrageous fad, defines fadness, and defies logic, and is the gold standard of all fads.

FRISBEE: This flying disc turned into a sport, popular with gods as well as people is the product of fad factory Whammo in CA, which marketed the Hula Hoop, Frisbee, Super Ball, and Silly String. The resident fadsters there were Bud Melin and the late Richard Knerr.

RUBIK'S CUBE: This invention of math professor Erno Rubik from Budapest, Hungary, was unsolvable except for someone who got a perfect 800 on their math SAT's. The only way I could solve it was by peeling off the different colored stickers and cheating, but even it was difficult.

SLIME: Good slime is hard to find nowadays. This gooey toy exemplifies what "gross" is, and what kids love. The precursor to many versions of ooze, gaak, and the expression form the movie Ghostbusters, "I've been slimed." Long live Slime.

DISMEMBEAR: When you get up late for work, junior is suspended from school for dressing like Alice Cooper, your property taxes just went up 40%, and you get ticketed for driving by yourself in the carpool lane, it's time to take your stress out on Dismembear. The DIsmembear is an invention of two school teachers from Ohio. In the privacy of your home, you can cuddle this cute furry teddy bear, but when you are frustrated, you can take it apart limb by limb....but do not worry, it's made with Velcro, so you can put it back together.

THE EVERBROWN PLANT: For those who have failed the green thumb test, try the Everbrown Plant. This pre-dried (and dead) plant is for those of you with the brown thumb. Why kill a plant at home, when you can buy it pre-dried?

ROCK ‘n ROLL: This take off on the Pet Rock did not work. Well, maybe no one wanted a rock imbedded in a bagel. So this fad goes to Memphis, and not to the Fad Hall of Fame.

SHARK HAT: Yes, sharks are always in for the summer, but this funny hat (with fins on top and visor opening up to be jaws) never became a summer hit. Sometimes, too wacky is not enough.

FUTURE FADS:

TOILET PAPER FOR YOUR CAT: The ultimate in spoiling your pet. This mini roll of toilet paper will make even your most finicky cat meow with pleasure.

BUNGEE BAG: This sporty toy is a cross between a softball, a yoyo and bungee jumping...can't see why this fad shouldn't be the next big thing. This ball bounces off your hand and yoyo's across the room for 10 feet before bouncing back to you.

SHOCKED ALIEN: Weird is in, bug eyes are in, aliens are in, combine them and you have these hilariously funny Shocked Aliens...beats any re-introduction of Strawberry Shortcake.