View-Master®

My family traveled every summer all across the country. We loved to get the view master reels for the places we visited. After we got home it was fun seeing pictures of the places we had been. I still have the reels and a view master. I shared them with my daughter when she was growing up.

- Connie, Indianapolis

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

In the 1960's my View-Master could take me anywhere. I could go back in time to fairy tales. I could go across the ocean without leaving my living room! I could go out into space from my backyard. I loved my ViewMaster so much that my family gave my granddaddy one for Christmas. I still have his and have added new reels so I can share with my grandchildren.

- Karen, Indianapolis

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

We used to have a view master that would show the pictures on the wall. It was like our night at the movies. I now share it with my kids.

- Alisa, New Palestine, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

The only "toy" that I ever remember my grandfather getting me was some new Viewmaster slides. Getting new slides was like being handed a $10 bill! I remember my normally stern Grandpa, propping that thing on his nose to view the newest slide. Then me, trying to teach him how to click it to the next!

- Annie, New Washington, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I learned so much about the world with my View Master. It was the "National Geographic Channel" of my youth.

- Ruthanne, Richmond, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I loved this toy as a child! I remember when they came out with the 3D version. It made you feel like you were in the story. My daughter, now 11, had one when she was younger. I'm so glad it's a toy that never went away or changed much.

- Carla, Indianapolis

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

The View Master had a 3D effect that never ceased to amaze me. As a child, taking the view master to my eyes and going through the round slide cartridge, pushing down the lever and watching - took me immediately from the everyday worries of a little kid to a fascinating world of pictures and colors, whether it was places around the world or scenes from movies - including animated movies. This was 3D 50-60 years before today's 3D movies…

- Avichai, Ra'anana, Israel
 

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

My View-Master took me places you only dreamed of when you were a child! Growing up, my family did not take vacations, so with my View-Master & the wonderful picture wheels, I traveled everywhere! There are days as a 56 year old woman, I wish to go back to the fond days of my friend the View-Master.

- Gail, Scottsburg, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

View-Masters were the first of the 3D pictures after the stereopticons. Children could spend hours looking through a variety of color reels. You could buy a few reels at a time and visit far away places. Before television in the early 50's, these were fascinating to kids and to the adults as well. Reels were available in many different subjects. There were nursery rhymes, all sorts of stories, and also you could visit National Parks or other far away places. Even when you were vacationing in some cities you could purchase a reel showing places of interest as a souvenir. The first View-Master viewer came in black, but later ones came in all different colors. I believe they are still being made, but todays children are more interested in the fast moving video games.

- Barb, Indianapolis

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.