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Popper Knocker (Klackers)
by (various)
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Read memories from others. |
This memory was added on: December 20,2005
These were great fun. That is until you hit your wrist.But that didn't stop us from playing with them.I guess the days of simple toys are over.
Chuck
1965
hd95cad64@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: December 19,2005
I broke my wrist in two places with these things!!They were wiked!!
Tim Lambert
1967
trashy13@comcast.net
This memory was added on: December 9,2005
Wow, I still have mine & they are stil usable & in good shape. I let my kids try them & of course they couldn't get them to work like I can. What a wonderful memory
M
1962
tat2dbukwurm@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: December 6,2005
oh i remember the klackers they were so much fun to play. with i tell my boy about the klacers and that they were so much fun. i don't remember the bruises on my arm all i remember is that they were lots of fun i would like to come across another pair. i had a pair of red ones. those were the good old days
michelle
1967
patobabes@netscape.net
This memory was added on: December 5,2005
AHHH THE GOOD OLD DAYS!!! MY OLDEST SISTER EACH HAD A PAIR OF CLACKERS. HERS WERE CLEAR PURPLE, AND MINE WERE CLEAR RED WITH GLITTER INSIDE. HOW WE LOVED THIS TOY. IT DIDNT TAKE TOO LONG FOR US TO GET THE HANG OF GETTING THEM TO GO REALLY FAST AND FURIOUS!!! BUT IT WAS KIND OF HARD TO KEEP THEM GOING FOR VERY LONG CUZ YOUR FINGERS AND WRIST WOULD START TO GET TIRED!!! I SURE WISH I HAD THAT SAME PAIR TODAY...NOT THAT I WOULD LET MY OWN 8 Y.O. PLAY WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE SO DANGEROUS...BUT BACK THEN, WHO CARED ABOUT DANGER?...JUST LIKE THOSE OLD METAL STREET ROLLER SKATES THAT TIGHTEN OVER YOUR SHOES WITH A SKATE KEY!!! WHO CARED THAT THEY WERE SO DANGEROUS...WE HAD THE BEST TIME ROLLING DOWN THAT STEEP HILL WITH NO TOE STOPS, OR BRAKES OF ANY KIND!!!
GALE
1959
GASIA1997@CS.COM
This memory was added on: November 25,2005
I loved them. We played with them all the time. I wonder now though, why did it take them so long to figure out that banging two glass balls together could be dangerous for kids.... ;-)
Alex
1966
alexthompson34@aol.com
This memory was added on: November 23,2005
I remember "clackers". I had a bright pink and green pair. I can remember smacking myself in the head a few times, but mostly getting hit in my wrists. But once my Mom and Dad heard that they were shattering and sends shards of glass everywhere, they mysteriously disappeared. If anyone has a pair (glass) that they want to sell, I'd be interested.
Tricia
1962
tsocon@bresnan.net
This memory was added on: November 21,2005
OMG, I love kerbangers...My moms use to be real good at it..I use to hurt my wrists all the time. Those things use to hurt bad, but I use to love playing with them. The stick broke on the ones I had..I wish I could get them back.
Carmen
1974
smileycm26@msn.com
This memory was added on: November 21,2005
Klackers!! We were FIVE brothers and sisters when my MOM got us a pair of these. Not sure who All actually played with them. What a test of Determination through physical PAIN to get em to KlacK together. I Still think toys Should envolve a degree of danger of Pain during the Play/Learning experience. A Great feeling of Empowerment!!
ELF
1955
ELF1031@MSN.COM
This memory was added on: November 18,2005
i still have mine! lol can u even imagine a kid now spending anytime playing with 2 balls on a string?
curlylocks
1960
my_tabbies@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: November 14,2005
Bruised knuckles! I never really got the hang of it, and soon gave up. But I miss that toy today - at 44...
Frank Simonsen
1961
This memory was added on: November 3,2005
I actually still have my Klackers! My brother had a clear purple set that cracked ages ago but mine are a solid banana yellow. I do remember the worst time of the year to play with them was in winter because when they "klacked" you in the head, arm, wrist or shoulder (or someone standing nearby)it seemed to hurt much worse than at any other time.
Laura
1964
laucar64@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: November 2,2005
Oh, the good ol' days before the lawsuits over these (I remember them as ka-bongers or something like that) and lawn darts! Oh well, at least those lawsuits were for a real reason, unlike so many these days.
You should see how much Klackers go for on eBay these days. Disclaimers not included :p
Katarina
1960
This memory was added on: November 1,2005
Ah, yes...Click Clacks. I'm sure I'd have a much higher IQ if I didn't hit myself in the head so many times.
Robin
1964
virgilio12@msn.com
This memory was added on: October 28,2005
I had a set of these, they were clear with multi colored glitter inside. I always seemed to smack my elbow with them, but I loved them anyway. There was a trick to getting them going fast enough to go both up and down..at recess one afternoon one of the strings came untied and one of the balls went flying across the playground, no one was in it's path thank goodness LOL
Carly
1960
This memory was added on: October 25,2005
I remember the Popper Knockers, Click Clacks, Yankee Clackers etc.. They were very popular here in Brooklyn NY during the summers of 1970 and 1971. The colored lucite version of the "Click Clacks" were very dangerous and they were taken off the market after many cases of the balls breaking apart and it's flying pieces caused eye injuries and blindness. Later on a much harder and tougher plastic version replaced the lucite version. I still have both and the lucite an plastic click clacks. My lucite click clack has developed a crack deep inside one of the balls. I can't believe I saved them for so many years. What a memory.
Richard Hearns
This memory was added on: October 14,2005
When I see these toys I feel like being a child again. They sure don't make toys the way they used to.
Lareina
1971
lareinaguerrero@sbcglobal.net
This memory was added on: October 3,2005
We called them clicker-klackers in Nebraska. I remember having bruises on my wrist, but eventuall got real good at it. Think one of the balls finally just broke.
Nancy
1959
laceybuzz@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: September 27,2005
I had a pair of Popper Knockers when I was 6 years old in 1970. I had a green pair and my Uncle Mike had a red pair. I remember playing with them one day and one of the balls came off the string and hit my 10 month old brother in the head. He survived but my mom put the popper knockers in the trash. They were great fun!!
Jeff
1964
jeff82@sbcglobal.net
This memory was added on: September 24,2005
Yeah. We used to call these klick-klacks. Some of the older neighborhood kids had a gang and they'd signal each other with them. Sorta sounded spooky like those clacking rocks in Blair Witch. Anyway after they would all signal each other, they'd meet under a street light down the block from our house. I'd sneak out with my wrist rocket slingshot and snipe one of them with a stone. This went on for weeks and they never could figure out where the rocks were coming from. Messed 'em up pretty good too! That'll fix 'em for givin' me Indian wrist burns!
Rich
1961
smidgensdad@oponline.net
This memory was added on: September 18,2005
Oh, yes! the Klackers! mine were sparkly blue glass. the string eventually wore down where it connected to the balls, so I threw them away. They hold a lot of great memories--I was pretty good...but it was my wrist bones that took a beating! OUCH!
Diana
1957
diney1957@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: September 2,2005
My brother and sisters and I all had a pair! Mine were hot pink and I loved them! Boy did they cause a lot of pain, but what a blast!! I got pretty good at them too!! With a little research I was able to locate 4 sets of the original resin ones as christmas presents for my siblings, this year for christmas the " past " will be their " present! " Nothing better than nostalgia!!!!
Robynn Rowen
1960
robynn.rowen@comcast.net
This memory was added on: September 2,2005
In 1972, when my brother was 5 and I was 8, we each had this toy. We called them klick klacks. I had the really pretty aqua blue ones and he had the (yucky) cherry red ones. We only got to enjoy them for about a week or so because, as usual, my brother was being a BRAT and Mom saw him try to hit me with them, so she took them away from us. She said she would give them back when we were old enough to play with them. And she kept her word... She gave them back. In 1997.
Elaina
1964
This memory was added on: August 31,2005
MIne were called Ker-Knockers. I remember they were recalled due to them breaking when kids played with them. They were also called Klick-Klacks, Whackers, Ker-Knockers, K-Nokkers, Knockers, Super Clackers
Madeline
1963
This memory was added on: August 31,2005
I remeber playing with these all the time. These were my favorite pastime. I'm looking for a pair to purchase for my daughter, to share a little part of history with her.
Chere Flowers
1967
flowergordon@msn.com
This memory was added on: August 7,2005
Wanted them but then they were recalled for busting when people played with them.
PJ Hedrick
1961
pjeanhedrick@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: August 3,2005
Ouch! My knuckles!! I remember getting these things and not really knowing what we were supposed to do with them. I am not sure my parent knew either. I remember we just clacked them together without the full-on-circular-klacking action which I thought was pretty stupid. Somehow we started trying to get them to clack both on the bottom and top. After many days of bruised fingers it finally just started to work. We were amazed by the action. We called them klackers too.
Tor Hansen
1965
tor@redeyeusa.com
This memory was added on: July 31,2005
I had mine taken away by my third grade teacher in Brazil! (1972). Beautiful, sparkling purple orbs that I could get flying in the air faster and longer than anyone else I knew... never did get them back. Still remember the painful, but well-earned bruises all over my arms- I'm sure I even chipped a bone at least once... ahhh, the good old days- found a couple for sale on ebay- thinking about getting them for my kids!
Julie
1964
j99oero@verizon.net
This memory was added on: July 30,2005
My uncle had a set of these when I was little(they're still at my Oma's house) but it has a metal ring in the middle of the string(it can be removed). Not sure if it was supposed to be there or not, but it made them really easy to use. I used this toy for hours on end. I used to love the feel of the plastic that the balls were made from. They were transluscent yellow(or maybe a light green) but they looked really cool. This toy made a great weapon when me and my sister were fighting although I wasn't always the one to use it!!! OUCH!
C.S.
1977
pooperbum@gmail.com
This memory was added on: July 27,2005
Yep, I remember Klackers. I never heard them called Popper Knockers, though! Everyone in my neighborhood had them, and on a warm summer evening, at dusk, that's all you could hear - klack, klack, klack - until our parents called us inside cause it was too dark out.
I think I actually had 3 sets, in different colors...I was pretty good at it, and strangely enough, I don't remember any bruises, or may be I blocked out that memory! LOL
I could never stand all that noise now, though...
Rene
1959
Noorah101@aol.com
This memory was added on: July 19,2005
My best memory of these was when I was about 12 years old or so. We use to call them Kerbangers, I don't know where that come from. Anyway, my older brother decided to be a bullie and take them away from me and started playing with them. The wound up cracking his wrist and he got angry and threw them straight up in the air. They then wrapped around a power line. To this day, they are still there. That was about 23 years ago. WOW!!
Rhea O.
1970
rhea82170@comcast.net
This memory was added on: June 30,2005
I remember in 1992, my girlfriend still had hers, we called them click klackers. She brought them into to work one day. Went went to lunch in Down town Pittsburgh, were were klacking them away, everyone in the Klacker era walking by were stopping, hey, I remember them! saying let me try! We had so much fun that day, bring back a memory in Pittsburgh!
Susan T
1962
This memory was added on: June 20,2005
The Klackers were (mine were clear purple with fine glitter particles suspended) the ultimate cool toy when it came to hanging out in the school yard at lunch time or recess waiting for your turn at the teether ball line or at the four square court. Building up speed and controlling the motion of the balls was the trick, holding that ring between your thumb and supporting it with the pointer finger was the test for the decleration so you didn't bang up your wrist or fore-arm....oooouch as the string lose their tension. Then their was the school yard monitors you had to watch out for too, (that ever sooo cool sound)would alert them to come and walk you to the principals office and have your parents called to let them know school rules and the detention after school you would be in for the next three days. Wise old owl, "How many pricipals in the U.S. have a stash of collectable toys in their closets and cubby holes from their old elementary/middle schools days at work?" The world will never know.....CCCCRUNCHHHH. (Oh yeah, that's a toostie pop.)
Ruth E. Brayman
1959
dolereb@earthlink.net
This memory was added on: June 15,2005
At school, traded something I loved (don't remember what, just that it was 'worthy' enough for Klacker trade) for Tracy's coveted yellow klackers...and that night my dad promptly cut the strings with a big
NO.
Something about shattering...eyes out... concussions.. but please Dad, drive 85 with no seatbelts and smoke with three kids in the car with the windows rolled up...
I confess, I would do the same now with my kid and Klackers.
jill
1961
This memory was added on: June 15,2005
Makes me still yearn in the exact same way just seeing the picture of them...
jill
1961
This memory was added on: June 14,2005
I STILL HAVE MINE, EVEN AFTER BREAKING DAMN NEAR EVER GLASS IN THE HOUSE. YOU KNOW HOW THEY'D FLY OFF YOUR FINGER.... ! I THINK ALL MY FAMILY MEMBER WERE AMONG THE WOUNDED AS WELL AS MOST OF MY FREINDS.
SONNY
1941
SC32941@AOL.COM
This memory was added on: June 10,2005
Omigod, another memory flies off the mental shelf...I can still hear the click-clack sound reverberating through the neighborhood around 1971 or '72, friends trying to outdo each other in "clackoffs" to see who was the best. I was practically useless at it, but my younger sisters were virtuosos! They could have taught the Gaucho bolo-throw, they were so good(until they broke the only pair we had, a beautiful reddish-purple set with sparkles inside, and our mom refused to get us another). By the way, I remember seeing the *only* film possibly made that included "Klackers" as a plot device--"Beware, The Blob", sequel to the original "Blob"! The scene where the frustrated Scoutmaster is haplessly trying to confiscate every pair of "Klackers" from his scout troop while on a hike is hilarious!
Jeremy Morales
1959
telepinus1525@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: May 19,2005
I remember having a cool, clear, candy apple red set in middle school. We all used to bring them to school and play wtih them at recess. Then someone heard that they could put an eye out or that they sometimes exploded on impact, or something. After that, we could only play with them at home and I guess the fad just died. Still loved them, though.
Barbara
1960
barbarah@clearsail.net
This memory was added on: May 9,2005
I remember trying to get the hang of these things. Got welts on my wrists and forearms. Finally managed to figure them out. Ended up using them as Bolo's to try and capture a running little brother. (Got good at that too) These were taken away by my parents and replace with the more docile squirmel. Never got the hang of that stupid thing. Fed it to the neighbors dog.
Ray
1965
wramit@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: April 23,2005
I had a pair of Klackers but I called them Klip Klanoppers. Mine were pretty dark blue with silver glitter. I was only 6 years old but I ruled at those things. I could get them going and keep them going until my Mother couldn't stand hearing them anymore. In the beginning my arms were black in blue from all my misses and it hurt like crazy but it was worth it. In the end, I broke one of the balls in half while trying to break my all time record. I have been looking for another pair like I had but they are hard to find.
Netter
1970
asknetter1970@aol.com
This memory was added on: April 12,2005
I think my Mom knew better then to get me knockers (nice name we called them). I was always getting hurt on something so I'm sure she put her foot down on this one. I did find an orange pair at an estate sale last year and bought them for .25 cents. I showed my daughter who's 17 and even she said NO WAY to klacking them. LOL I haven't klacked them either.. I'm ~~~AFRAID~~~~ lol That's all I need, showing up at the emergency room at 40 with a knocker accident!
Gina
1964
GinaUSA@aol.com
This memory was added on: March 26,2005
I still have mine... they are green and we called them Klick Klacks.... it's amazing that they brought those back a couple of years ago as a "safe Version" using a v-shaped plastic piece instead of good ole dangerous string
Jimmy
1967
Jlouis@design-theory.com
This memory was added on: March 7,2005
My sister and I both had a set, man the bruises we got from them, but they where so much fun I didn't want to stop, it was good cheap fun, every now and then you'll see some come out in the stores but there nothing like the old once, loads of memorys
Bev
1960
bevice2002@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: March 7,2005
I have 2 memories of the klackers. 1 was my older brother, (who I would follow around incesantly) would get them so close too my face, all supper fast so that i would have to run for my life. The 2nd is me trying to get them to go all supper fast and cracking them off my forehaed, fingers, whatever. I just wanted to get them to go. When I finally did it was like a hang-on-for-dear life experssion. Don't lose it, don't lose it. Damn!! lost it!.
Danielle
1972
danielleshortreed@msn.com
This memory was added on: March 6,2005
I'd had a couple sets. The clear ones were taken by a teacher because you cannt bring 'toys' to school. (especially loud and weapon like 'toys') Had a purple set and one of 'em literally exploded one day when I had them really whalin'. Also had a red set but after the exploding incident I kind of lost interest seeing as how I still could see, with both eyes too.
Greg
1958
fabulousfranklinfreak@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: March 6,2005
I remember my friend Joanne and I would have Klacker contests in the school playground. She would always win because her face would freeze into a contorted 'I'm flying upside down on a roller coaster going 70mph' look complete with bugged eyes, clenched teeth and vein throbbing in neck...and that would totally put me off.
JIMEZSMOOT
1968
smoot1138@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: March 2,2005
Klack, klack, klack. Most of 'em wound up dangling from the telephone wires in my neighborhood. (Same place our old Converse All-Stars went when they wore out and we got a new pair)
Curtis
1957
This memory was added on: February 18,2005
These were my absolute favorite next to my jacks and ball set. The "clacking" contests were endless! Every kid in the neighborhood had them...until they were banned and our mother's took them away from us. They were dangerous, but the fun was endless. If they were avaiable today would I buy them for my kids - probably not! Wish my mother would have kept them though...
Toni
1965
This memory was added on: February 14,2005
I still have mine. They are light green. I was the champ at my scool in the 6th grade and can still use them to my suprise.
darla
1959
taylormarie1@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: February 12,2005
KLACKERS! I loved the purple set I had. My parents weren't crazy about the bruises I would get from them. Until I got to use them good I hit my wirst more than I did each other. LOL I Mine were lost years ago and with them being off the market don't look like I'll be able to drive anyone nuts with them again. Would love to play with them while my husband keeps me awake snoring.
gail
1956
mombyrdie@aol.com
This memory was added on: February 7,2005
Ahhhh. Klackers. Drove my mom nuts with them.
They sure did hurt. Mom purchased them, then would say "You're gonna get hurt. I'm not going to another hospital."
Dangerous toys ruled.
Noelle
1960
This memory was added on: February 6,2005
I had these as a kid and used to get going really fast and then would fling them away because I KNEW they would hurt like crazy if they hit me!!! My brothers used to play with them too...
Mary
September 1960
marymcq@earthlink.net
This memory was added on: January 29,2005
I loved this DANGEROUS toy ! I still have mine, the clear light purple glass ones, and I can still make them "Klack", both above and below my wrist (at age 43!) My 7 year old son thinks I'm a crazy lady !
sharilyn stewart
1962
sharilyn62@msn.com
This memory was added on: January 29,2005
I grew up right down the street from the "Popper Knocker" factory in Carterville,Mo. right here on OLD "Route 66". My younger brother and I use to "hang-out" around the factory and the workers would give us "samples", so I have quite a collection.(these are to be used as "Collector Items" only) THESE CLACKERS or POPPER KNOCKERS HAVE BEEN IN MY POSSESSION FOR OVER 30 YEARS! I have some are still sealed in the bag just like the day they left the factory!...I also have opened sets that are in GOOD condition!!! If anyone is interested in purchasing a set to be used as collectors items only...let me know. terriandrod@gbronline.com
These were also known as Klick-Klacks, Whackers, Ker-Knockers, Whack'os, Bangers, Poppers, Knockers, Bonkers, Clack Clacks, Crackers, K-Nokkers, Knockers, Mini Poppers, Rockers, Super Clackers, Quick Klacks, Quick Clacks, Quick Wacks, Wackers, Whak Kos, Zonkers and various other names.
Terri Edwards
1959
terriandrod@gbronline.com
This memory was added on: January 19,2005
I remember Klackers. My sister and I had a pair of red glass ones. There was a lot of pain involved (I was two years younger) then they got taken away because of a broken window mishapp. Who ever came up with the idea of giving children such deadly weapons? :)
Tara
1965
tarasiden@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: January 14,2005
All my friends owned at least one set of Klackers. Mine were either the clear acrylic red or purple ones. Great noisy fun when you got them really klackin! I remember the controversy around them which caused their ulitmate demise. As a kid, I remember being told that all the Klackers were taken off the market and dumped into the ocean. I always had this image of a giant pile of Klackers somewhere under the sea!
Kenneth
1959
This memory was added on: January 12,2005
Everyone kid on our block had a pair of Klackers and when we all got together...wow, the noise!!LOL. I had a red pair...I thought they had "sparkles" or glitter set inside them too...but maybe I am not remembering that part correctly. My brother and I ultimately had ours taken away for using them to hit each other...ahhhh, good times...good times....:o)
Christine
1960
This memory was added on: January 11,2005
I can remember when I was 3yrs old and I was a pro with these Klackers although I had bruised arms they were the best, especially when my dad played dead one day and I slapped him over the head to see if he was really dead. LOL
rachel falcon
1977
swetn6469@msn.com
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