By Jessica Oliver • February 27, 2026 • Share
So when my own prom came around this year, I couldn’t help but think about the past. There was this mysterious object that sparked so much curiosity online. Almost ninety percent of those who saw it for the first time had no idea what they were looking at.
It turned out to be something many adults once knew well, but younger people had never encountered. The answer? Clackers.
These simple toys, popular in the early 1970s, consist of two hard plastic balls attached to a string, creating a loud clacking sound when swung. Invented by Wham-O in 1969, they quickly became a playground sensation, with kids everywhere wanting their own pair. But as the craze grew, so did concerns about safety.
What happened next led to their decline and eventual disappearance from store shelves…
Read more on the next page ⬇️⬇️⬇️
