I had always marveled at the Teddy Ruxpin commercials on TV as a kid. I figured the tape also controlled the movements, but I never knew there was a servo track as such, I figured they just drove it by the sound of the original tape and it just somehow sort of looked like the doll was talking. The hash on that servo track is just awful sounding. After hearing that, and knowing that's what drove one of my childhood memories it's just freaky. Plus the absolutely chintzy tape player, no fast forward or rewind, plus he's an "android" and has a hatch on the back just like VICI on Small Wonder. Damn the 80s were *REAL*.
Well, the adults would set these up for the kids to watch. The cassette door is the play button. I forgot to say that in the video. When you start closing the door, the head and pinch roller is lowing onto the cassette tape as the door closes. The cassette's have the same recordings on both sides. Which comes in handy that it doesn't rewind, you just flip the cassette over and play it again. The Player will turn off when it is at the end of the tape, so it won't drain the batteries if someone forgets about it. That Hash on the servo track is the "Magic" of it all. Just like if I was wearing my Emerson Collie suit and you see this cute collie until I take it off in front of you, only to now see that all of this time, it was an ugly middle aged man that brought it to life. It's pretty much the same thing really. ;)
Is that Cam Clarke as the voice of Snoopy? Fellow 80s kids may recognize him as the voice of Leonardo in the 1987 TMNT cartoon, and he also provided the voice of Liquid Snake in Metal Gear Solid.
That was quite novel for the time, how they accomplished that. It's probably relatively simple. I'm guessing it's just a beefy audio amplifier on the right track into some driver stage for the stepper motors. The sound (or phase) controls in which direction the motors move. There's probably more to it though, but that's basicly what I expect, of what's in there. Very intriguing toy/doll. I've never seen such a thing before, but I'm 28, so what do I know? The weirdest thing I ever found in a doll, was a miniaturised record player. It used to belong to my nieces, and they didn't want it any more. At a very young age I was known to take stuff with electronics in them apart, to have a look. To give you an idea: it was a baby doll that was able to whine (yes, very annoying). What was in there was a solid plastic disk with audio grooves pressed in it (as you'll find in a standard record for a long play record player). It was driven by a small 3 volt motor or so and relied completely on the mechanics in the little box for it to repeat over and over again. Of-course there was a metal "needle" that followed the track on the disk, and its vibrations were coupled into a small hard plastic funnel that made up a "speaker". Needless to say there was only the baby-whining on that plastic disk... I recently read a story of a similar device, used in cars, to provide a voiced warning for some fixed events. A quick google gave me this: jalopnik.com/5246380/1982-datsun-voice-warning-box-used-tiny-phonograph-record-just-like-moon-base-robots
I remember those tiny record players in dolls and toy robots. I had a old robot that had one of those light orange record players that had the shape of a bird house inside of it. It would play the sounds of cartoon style lazer beams. I also (and still do) find those little record players very interesting.
I still have the Snoopy that was my son's. I recently bought a tape to replace the original. He peed on and then goes off. The cassette never tries to turn. Since you tinker, any ideas?
@@jeanettesalmon Not sure, but it sounds like a problem with the tape mechanism. If the tape is not being played the drive belt (if applicable) might have failed. Can you possibly hear a motor whirring in the device? If not, the problem could be in the electrical side of things as well. Sorry for the generic trouble-shooting ideas. Contrary to popular belief, it is very hard to troubleshoot something through text message.
@@MrDubje totally understand. No whirring. Kids probably roughed him up a little too much. Gonna get more batteries before I give up.( Bought these at the dollar store.) Just like for the grandkids to see him play. I'm sure they would be impressed.
I dont know if youll see this but wow I am amazed. Im 33 years old. My mom brought this for me when I was a kid. I STILL HAVE HIM. Hes NOWHERE in as great shape as yours. Look at the fur and tape deck. I think my tape deck has turned beige. If you know where i could get the original tape from please let me know. Im writing this as I watch your video. I remeber him singing the green grass song
I had always marveled at the Teddy Ruxpin commercials on TV as a kid. I figured the tape also controlled the movements, but I never knew there was a servo track as such, I figured they just drove it by the sound of the original tape and it just somehow sort of looked like the doll was talking.
The hash on that servo track is just awful sounding. After hearing that, and knowing that's what drove one of my childhood memories it's just freaky. Plus the absolutely chintzy tape player, no fast forward or rewind, plus he's an "android" and has a hatch on the back just like VICI on Small Wonder. Damn the 80s were *REAL*.
Well, the adults would set these up for the kids to watch. The cassette door is the play button. I forgot to say that in the video. When you start closing the door, the head and pinch roller is lowing onto the cassette tape as the door closes.
The cassette's have the same recordings on both sides. Which comes in handy that it doesn't rewind, you just flip the cassette over and play it again. The Player will turn off when it is at the end of the tape, so it won't drain the batteries if someone forgets about it.
That Hash on the servo track is the "Magic" of it all. Just like if I was wearing my Emerson Collie suit and you see this cute collie until I take it off in front of you, only to now see that all of this time, it was an ugly middle aged man that brought it to life. It's pretty much the same thing really. ;)
Yeah I see what you're saying!
That was a good analogy I did there. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense!
Had no idea this existed. I remember Teddy and Grubby fondly. But, I don't get the talking Snoopy... he never talked the cartoons.
I can't wait to get mine 😁
Hannah L
God damn. I was only born 2 years after, but I sure don't remember any of this.
Funny because snoopy isn't known for talking in the show or comics. Yet here he is with Leonardo's voice lol
Is that Cam Clarke as the voice of Snoopy?
Fellow 80s kids may recognize him as the voice of Leonardo in the 1987 TMNT cartoon, and he also provided the voice of Liquid Snake in Metal Gear Solid.
Yeah, he is! :)
8:37 I'm not absolutely positive but I think Cam might be doing Spike here too. And that's probably Desiree Goyette doing Belle.
Nice i just found a snoopy cassette player just like that one
That was quite novel for the time, how they accomplished that. It's probably relatively simple. I'm guessing it's just a beefy audio amplifier on the right track into some driver stage for the stepper motors. The sound (or phase) controls in which direction the motors move.
There's probably more to it though, but that's basicly what I expect, of what's in there.
Very intriguing toy/doll. I've never seen such a thing before, but I'm 28, so what do I know?
The weirdest thing I ever found in a doll, was a miniaturised record player.
It used to belong to my nieces, and they didn't want it any more. At a very young age I was known to take stuff with electronics in them apart, to have a look.
To give you an idea: it was a baby doll that was able to whine (yes, very annoying). What was in there was a solid plastic disk with audio grooves pressed in it (as you'll find in a standard record for a long play record player). It was driven by a small 3 volt motor or so and relied completely on the mechanics in the little box for it to repeat over and over again. Of-course there was a metal "needle" that followed the track on the disk, and its vibrations were coupled into a small hard plastic funnel that made up a "speaker". Needless to say there was only the baby-whining on that plastic disk...
I recently read a story of a similar device, used in cars, to provide a voiced warning for some fixed events. A quick google gave me this: jalopnik.com/5246380/1982-datsun-voice-warning-box-used-tiny-phonograph-record-just-like-moon-base-robots
I remember those tiny record players in dolls and toy robots. I had a old robot that had one of those light orange record players that had the shape of a bird house inside of it. It would play the sounds of cartoon style lazer beams. I also (and still do) find those little record players very interesting.
I figured you'd find them interesting, considering the videos about the old classroom record players you collect. :)
I still have the Snoopy that was my son's. I recently bought a tape to replace the original. He peed on and then goes off. The cassette never tries to turn. Since you tinker, any ideas?
@@jeanettesalmon Not sure, but it sounds like a problem with the tape mechanism. If the tape is not being played the drive belt (if applicable) might have failed. Can you possibly hear a motor whirring in the device? If not, the problem could be in the electrical side of things as well. Sorry for the generic trouble-shooting ideas. Contrary to popular belief, it is very hard to troubleshoot something through text message.
@@MrDubje totally understand. No whirring. Kids probably roughed him up a little too much. Gonna get more batteries before I give up.( Bought these at the dollar store.) Just like for the grandkids to see him play. I'm sure they would be impressed.
Wow, I'm amazed that you still have a working one.
I still have my Talking Snoopy and 4 stories. All still work.
I have this snoopy, but don't know which batteries he takes. Do you know?
@@littleikes3 It takes 4, C sized batteries.
@@skuzlebut82 Do I need the Original tape to test it?
@@littleikes3 It'll play any cassette tape but you won't have any of the mouth and ear movements.
@@skuzlebut82 okay thanks for you help. Unfortunately I can't get the green light to turn on or play. Odd because no rust or corrosion
I dont know if youll see this but wow I am amazed. Im 33 years old. My mom brought this for me when I was a kid. I STILL HAVE HIM. Hes NOWHERE in as great shape as yours. Look at the fur and tape deck. I think my tape deck has turned beige. If you know where i could get the original tape from please let me know. Im writing this as I watch your video. I remeber him singing the green grass song
im watching this while mine is next to me
I saw one of these snoopy dolls in 2014 at a thrift store I couldn't get him because I was moving at the time
I love these
What type of batteries does he require? :)
4 "C" Batteries.
@@EmersonCollie I wish they had something like that now, but with kid shows like Arthur, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Bluey.
I have a talking mother goose
Hmm never heard of it
This was before your time. It's from 1986.
Your right this is before my time
It is cool that technology was different back then comparing to now
Wow