People Panic After Finding Odd Metal Looking Dart in Front Lawn

In Northeast America, a mystery dart was found, and people were baffled. The user then posted an image to Reddit, and unsurprisingly, the mystery was solved quickly.

A Dart Appears to be a Toy

Last year, a Reddit user shared an interesting find they stumbled upon. It was a small metal object that looked like a dart. People flocked to the comments section to share their thoughts. While many joked about what the object could be, countless people shared the dart was a beloved toy from their childhood.

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Brief History of the Dart Toy

The dart was a popular kids’ toy in the 1960s and 70s called a cap bomb. Another version was marketed and appeared to be a blimp-shaped dart. The original cap guns appeared in the late 1800s and were made of metal. However, after WW2, they were made of zinc alloy. Furthermore, modern-day guns and darts are made of plastic. Although it’s frowned upon for children to play with violent toys like guns and darts, they’re an interesting toy and well-loved by older generations.

Redditors Share Insight

“Cap bomb. I must have gone through a hundred of those as a child in the 70’s. Twist the top, put a paper cap in, twist the top back down, and throw it up in the air. When it hits the pavement, it makes a bang.” Explained one user.

Another shared: “We stuck caps(little explosive wad) in them and the pop when you throw them. Probably removed from the market around the time lawn darts were deemed hazardous.”

“I had a bunch of those. Man, I can smell the picture. God I loved the smell of those red caps.” Said a third person.

Modern Day Version

In the late 90s and early 2000s, toy makers steered away from metals and wood, using plastics to craft toys. As such, many toys that kids played with during these years, including the dart and cap gun, were made of plastic and had different features. For example, some flashed a little light when activated. However, in recent years, society has moved toward educational toys and toys that promote love and inclusivity. Therefore, many parents prefer their children not to play with toys like these, believing they perpetuate violence.

Dangerous Toys

The dart pictured above, or the cap bomb, isn’t the only vintage toy deemed inappropriate for children and taken off the market.

The Reason for Choking Warnings

The Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper was a spacecraft toy that featured a shooting ball. However, a 4-year-old boy choked to death in 1978. Parents called for the removal of the toy, and companies began issuing warning labels on most toys.

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Creepy Crawlers

Creepy crawlers was a toy that allowed children to “bake” creepy crawling bugs. However, there were many safety concerns so the toy was re-released several times, with new safety features. Sadly, the toy wasn’t as popular as it originally was. Despite making a few comebacks, the game was eventually removed from shelves altogether.

Lawn Darts

Although the box explicitly states it’s a game for adults, many children had access to the dangerous game in the 1980s. Be it their parents let them play, or they couldn’t but sneak into the game closet and take the box to play. Either way, lawn darts claimed the life of one little girl after she was struck in the head. Although the lawn darts weren’t sharp, their weight coupled with the force when it hit her head was enough to be fatal.

We certainly have come a long way as scientists share with parents and educators, new and better ways to encourage play and imagination while ensuring the safest environment and influences. They don’t make toys like the dart anymore. Nor are toys that are deemed “dangerous” or “condone violence” as popular as they once were.

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