Fifty years ago today, the Etch a Sketch was invented. This wasn’t my favorite toy when I was a child, but recently I visited The Children’s Museum in Indianapolis where they had an Etch a Sketch exhibit.

They had a giant Etch a Sketch that was pretty cool. It took two people to turn it over.

They also had reproductions of the artwork featured here. Those impress me. I never figured out how sketch more than random lines that intersected with other…lines. With my luck, I’d finally figure out how to create something awesome and then drop it.

The Indy Children’s Museum was very awesome (lots of photos on my Flickr stream). My first professional job was at a children’s museum, so they have a special place in my heart.

Oddly enough, National Review Online reminded me of this historic occasion. NRO, now covering politics, culture and celebrations of classic toys? I’m not going to complain. I look forward to their perspectives on Lite Brites and Glo Worms.