Tangible Media: Removable Storage of Image, Sound, Motion and Data
Tangible Media: Removable Storage of Image, Sound, Motion and Data
Tangible Media: Removable Storage of Image, Sound, Motion and Data
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Mattel Strum-Fun Getar

Title:

The Bear Went Over the Mountain

Date:

1959

Material:

Plastic

Dimensions:

3⅛ in.

Company:

Mattel, Inc.

Location:

Los Angeles, California, United States

A tune disc for an automatic "getar" toy. The disc was inserted into a music box in the back of the guitar. Moving a lever on the front advanced the tune note by note. Although the guitar had strings and could be played as a ukelele (I'm Nanna 2011), the disc played a music box inside the instrument that was independent of the strings. It was listed in contemporary catalogs for 3 to 4 dollars (Warhol 2020). Eight discs were included in the box:

  1. My Old Kentucky Home
  2. The bear went over the mountain
  3. I've been working on the railroad
  4. Oh! Susanna
  5. Where has my little dog gone?
  6. Jingle bells
  7. Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
  8. Darling Clementine

The Strum-Fun Getar appeared in Sears and Montgomery Wards catalogs at least until 1961 (Warhol 2020).

Box. This was purchased with the discs but without the "getar"
Music comb mounting means. US Patent 2,735,328 (Bangs 1956)
References
⌃  Back to citationBangs, Joseph F. 1956. Music comb mounting means. US Patent 2,735,328, issued Feb 21, 1956.
⌃  Back to citationI'm Nanna. 2011. Test sound strum fun getar by Mattel C.1959. I&m Nana. Sep. 12, 2011. YouTube video, 1:40.
⌃  Back to citationWarhol, Jon. 2020. 1959 Strum Fun Getar by Mattel . Jon Warhol. Dec. 30, 2020. YouTube video, 11:14.