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Slime (toy)

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For other uses, see Slime.
Slime
Green Slime.JPG
TypeNovelty toy and stress toy
CompanyMattel
CountryUnited States
Availability1976–present
MaterialsGuar gum, PVA glue
SloganGooey, drippy, oozy, cold ‘n clammy[1]

Slime was a toy product manufactured by Mattel, sold in a plastic trash can and introduced in February 1976.[2] It consisted of a non-toxic viscous, squishy and oozy green or other color material made primarily from guar gum.[3] Different variations of Slime were released over the years, including Slime containing rubber insects, eyeballs, and worms and Masters of the Universe Slime for Hordak's Slime Pit playset in the 1980s.

The late 1970s also introduced a Slime Monster board game; the object of the game was to avoid having your game piece slimed on by a foot-tall plastic monster that had slime oozing from its mouth. Other toy companies have produced their own slime such as the Ecto-Plazm play gel[4] sold with selected figures in Kenner's Real Ghostbusters toyline. Playmates Toys' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figure line also had Retro-Mutagen slime sold in containers and included with playsets.[5]

While the substance was essentially harmless, a drawback was that it was extremely difficult to remove from carpets.


Chemical components

The main components are the polysaccharide guar gum and sodium tetraborate. As an alternative to the polysaccharide, other alcohol-group containing polymers (such as polyvinyl alcohol) may be used to a similar result. These non-polysaccharide polymer products are more often referred to as flubber. Due to its ingredients, leaving the slime outside its container could cause the slime to dry or get stuck in fabric or one's hair.[5]


Cultural impact

Slime has expanded into other franchises such as Masters of the Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Ghostbusters. The Masters of the Universe slime toy features Hordak, an antagonist from Masters of the Universe. Cerated by Kenner, Ghostbusters slime had different colors of slime, due to the food coloring Kenner added to it. It then expanded into action toys and a playset. For the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the slime is called Retromutagen Ooze, a reference to how the turtles were made. The slimes were later added to toy sets. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles slime line is made by Playmate. Slime is even used on various Nickelodeon game shows, most notably Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Engber, Daniel (2016-07-18). "Will Ghostbusters Bring Back the Glory Days of Slime?". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  2. ^ SLIME, ser. no. 75/198,386 (filed November 15, 1996), reg. no. 2,206,408 (December 1, 1998) (noting date of first use in commerce as February 18, 1976). United States Patent and Trademark Office. Accessed March 10, 2018.
  3. ^ Guar Gum Slime, by David A. Katz
  4. ^ "Real Ghostbusters Ecto-Plazm! | x-entertainment.com". x-entertainment.com (in American English). Retrieved 2017-12-09.
  5. ^ a b c Wilson, John. "Slime: A History Of Mattel's Grossest Toy Plus Tips On How to Make Slime!". Completeset. Retrieved March 22, 2016.

External links


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