Random Nerd Nostalgia: Cold War Culture Was Very Strange

I mean, what kid wouldn't want their very own fake nuclear sub?


[Description: "POLARIS NUCLEAR SUB: Fires Rockets and Torpedoes. Only 6.98. Over 7 Feet Long. Big Enough For 2 Kids." (Picture of two smiling white kids with dark hair, one girl and one boy, waving behind a ginorous looking fake submarine. Another white kid peers through the periscope. An inset picture shows two white boys inside the submarine, both crammped into its bridge, which looks more like a tiny two-person cockpit.] "How proud you will be as the commander of your own POLARIS SUB-- the most powerful weapon in the world!What hours of imaginative play as you and your friends dive, surface, manuever,watch the enemy through the periscope and fire your torpedoes! What thrills as you play at hunting sunken treasure in pirate waters and exploring the strange and mysterious bottom of the deep ocean floor! HOURS AND HOURS OF ADVENTURE -- Sturdily contructed of 200 lb. test fibreboard. Comes complete with easy assembly construction. Costs only 6.98 for this giant of fun, adventure, and science.(Because of the POLARIS SUB's giant size we must ask 75c. shipping charges.) MONEY BACK GUARANTEE--Order today and we will rush your POLARIS NUCLEAR SUB to you. If you don't think it is the greatest ever--the best toy you have ever had--just send it back for full purchse price refund." (There is a coupon to order assuring you a 10 DAY FREE TRIAL and a list of FEATURES including "Electrically Lit Instrument Panel."]

I dunno. Personally, I'll stick with the much cheaper (and totally customized!) refrigerator box combination submarine/spaceship.

(Posted in honor of the United States Navy's very first all-female submarine crew, USS Illinois, earlier incorrectly reported to have an all-female crew. The sub is officially sponsored by Michelle Obama. h/t Liss. Edited at 11.20 ET)