Among the very first 16 toys made by Fisher-Price in 1931 were the ever popular Pop-Up Kritters (Patented October 5, 1926-No. 1,601,983) that were made of bead and string construction allowing the Kritter to spring to life when the strings are pulled tightly, squirm and sway around as the strings are loosened, and laying flat when the strings are loosened all the way. Pop-Up Kritters are mounted on a paddle and the control strings have metal loops on the end to allow easy maneuvering.
Five years (1936) after the first Pop-Up Kritters were released, a new Kritter was added to the line in the form of Disney's Pluto. To the best of my knowledge, Santa Claus brought me the "Pluto" shown in the above photo for Christmas in 1940 and I still have it in virtual mint condition.
Now an antique collector's item, it remains one of my favorite toys and I still get it out and put it through its paces -- just for fun -- often as a stress reliever. Some kids never grow up, I guess.
Pluto is made of yellow wooden beads, he has a black beaded tail, black oil cloth ears, and a red collar around his neck. He has a 50-pound test fish line through the middle, he pops up when the string is pulled, goes limp when released. Pluto is mounted on a BLUE wooden guitar-shaped paddle. Marked "W.D. Ent.". Measures 7-1/2" tall, 5-1/2" high, 10-1/2" long paddle.
Other Information:
Was the best selling Pop-Up Kritter of all time.
Copyright Walt Disney Productions.
Patent No. 1,601,983.
The suggested retail price in 1936 was .25¢.
The suggested retail price in 1948 was .50¢.
Today it is priced at $25.99 on eBay.
The following poem can be found in one of Fisher-Price's mini-catalogues regarding the #440 Pluto Pop-Up and the #610 Tailspin Tabby:
It's Pluto the pup, chasing Tailspin Tabby
To the top of the fence and over, maybe
The lovable Kritters mean lots of fun
For the lucky youngster having one.
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