Albert Einstein

BIRDS OF A FEATHER
I knew the toy industry was having it’s big event next week, because I’m going. For those who have wished to get into this industry-only event and wondered what it was really like let me assure you, winning a trip to Willie Wonka’s Candy Factory has nothing on the toy show.

Before we go on, answer this question, for real. Out loud: Were you just reading along to see where this was going, or had you already wondered what this was doing in Albert Einstein’s Blog about important things? The only headline should have been about North Korea considering joining the world in not using nukes to blow it all up. That’s important. I can assure you that the Professor approves of reducing nukes. He once said “The release of atomic energy has not created a new problem. It has merely made more urgent the necessary solving pf an existing one. One could say it has affected us quantitatively, not qualitatively.” He is fascinated that we managed to survive so long since the invention of the bomb without solving these existing problems that lead to wars, yet we have destroyed neither ourselves nor the nukes. The smart money Sixty years ago said it would have been one or the other a long time before now.

We could have discussed the announcement that a scientific study found that there are components of male sweat that can turn a woman on. In fact, it can even cause her production of cortisol to increase, a quality that might have clinical value in treating certain conditions.

Obviously this information about the value of maintaining a musky smell would be important to Albert in his “diversions,” but diversions don’t merit the front page here. I admit, the nuke story is important, but come on, we’re talking TOYS!

During the 1950s, perhaps earlier, and definitely lasting into the 1960s there was a certain toy on the market. It was (generally) shaped like a bird. It’s feet were actually specialized wheels, basically an X with suction cups at each tip. It was claimed to be able to roll its way up any smooth surface, but in reality it needed the perfect smoothness of a mirror. I had one, wished I had kept it.

Now I wasn’t the only kid who ever had such a toy. When I brought this up a friend told me he once had one, even thinks the name was something like “Li’l Orbie.” I’ve scoured the internet, called toy experts, museums, you name it. No luck. You see, one overgrown kid who loved playing with just such a toy was Professor Einstein. He found this particular toy to be so intriguing that he used it as a window into people. When a new person was brought into his home to be introduced to him, he would chat politely, but only briefly. If he thought this person might be worth getting to know the toy bird would appear. If the potential friend was in any way put-off or too grown up for such nonsense, Einstein could not waste much time on this person. On the other hand, if the visitor understood the wonder of the toy, and shared the joy of imagination and play, the guest received an invitation to really chat with the Professor. Welcome to the inner circle!

So, when I posed the question earlier, were you just cruising through? Stick around, we can work with you. Were you thinking “why is he talking about a toy of all things? Don’t panic, there’s hope for you. Maybe it was more like, “Let’s see how he justifies this toy talk…” In that case you gave me a chance, so I guess I should return the favor. If you were thinking, “I can’t believe he’s wasting time on stupid toy nonsense,” well then I may just be wasting time with you. Still, nobody needs “perspective-expansion” more, so as long as it doesn’t take any extra time on my part, or the Professor’s, stay with us.

Were you that rare bird who was thinking; “Finally, a serious blog on current events and world issues that is talking toys, this should be good!” If that’s you, welcome to the inner circle.
And if you have any info on that toy and how to find one, they would really appreciate that info at FrankEinstein.org