Self-certificated Toyologist Peter is an expert on toys and tech trends, scribing and broadcasting on all the latest offerings from the batteries not included scene. A passionate board gamer he co-founded a melting pot of talent that is Board Game Club, a monthly get together for inventors and play testers to get together and develop ideas.
Continue reading Peter ‘Toyologist’ Jenkinson – Cascade (Matchbox, 1972 – 1975)
Having previously set up UsVsTh3m and Ampp3d for the Daily Mirror, Martin Belam now works for the Guardian as Social & New Formats Editor. In his story, Martin shares an early experience of impostor syndrome.
Continue reading Martin Belam – LL918 Space Transport (LEGO, 1978)
John Higgs is an author who has written books about such diverse subjects as the KLF and Timothy Leary. His most recent work seeks to make sense of the entire 20th century. In his story, John recounts why he chose to forego football in favour of exploring an imaginary castle.
Continue reading John Higgs – ‘The Count’ (Adventure Int., 1981)
Helen Wilson is a professor of applied mathematics at UCL. She works on complex fluids – everything from toothpaste to molten plastic, and even wrote a paper on the fluid dynamics of the chocolate fountain. In her story, Helen remembers how she used to serenade her parents from the back seat of the car… Are we there yet?
Continue reading Helen Wilson – Melody 9509 Recorder (Hohner, 1857 – Present)
Paul has been working with images since 1991. As an accomplished editor and retoucher, working with publications from the London Evening Standard to the Economist, Paul developed an eye for creating memorable images. As a photographer, his work has been exhibited and published internationally. In his story, Paul shares his love for a grey, rubber rat.
Continue reading Paul Clarke – ‘Ratty’ (Unknown)
For as long as he can remember Rob has written stories and played with words. Over the last 10 years he has produced successful content and, quite simply, told stories online for the likes of AOL, IPC Media and Age UK. In his story, Rob talks about his hatred of losing.
Continue reading Rob Mansfield – Connect 4 (Milton Bradley, 1974)
Jon Butterworth is a physics professor at University College London. He is a member of the UCL High Energy Physics group and works on the Atlas experiment at Cern’s Large Hadron Collider. In his story, Jon talks about his materialistic and violent past.
Continue reading Jon Butterworth – Die-Cast Cars (Matchbox, 1953 – Present)
In an update to his previous toy story, author, illustrator, speaker, Blue Peter badge winner and ‘QI’ Elf Stevyn Colgan takes a giant leap into the future and shares his views on the new Viewmaster VR.
Continue reading Stevyn Colgan – Viewmaster VR (*Update)
Rebecca refers to herself as a mad cat woman in training, Feminist, socialist, vegetarian, and non denominational Christian. In her story, Rebecca talks about Nanook, her beloved hotbed of bacteria.
Continue reading Rebecca Laird – ‘Nanook’ (Unknown)
Moose is an artist, writer, cartoonist and prolific tweeter. He lives and works in Devon, England. For many years he worked in London as an architect specialising in public consultation & urban regeneration and contributed to the UK´s successful Olympic bid. He moved to the coast in 2006 to concentrate on his art and to have fun by the sea.
In this toy story Moose talks about his struggle with nostalgia and that, despite this, there is still a place for one special toy in his life.
Continue reading Moose Allain – ‘Bombardy’ (Unknown)
Chris is a PR bod specialising in technology and media companies, with a passion for storytelling. Outside of work he writes for CALMzine, a leading charity magazine which aims to tackle the taboo around male mental health. He also writes for the Telegraph Blogs and has done a few pieces for Wired.co.uk.
Chris has also worked with Bletchley Park for a few years and is a passionate supporter of the Trust – most recently co-creating the Alan Turing Monopoly Board. In his toy story Chris recalls how his dream of playing at Lords was realised, albeit in miniature.
Continue reading Chris Owen – Test Match Cricket (Peter Pan Playthings, 1980)
Drew is a learning technologist, Chair of @naace, volunteer, researcher of Nail Houses and a late discoverer of his own ability to draw. As someone who has ten Big Traks in his office, Drew is no stranger to the magic of toys and in his story shares an especially emotional memory.
Continue reading Drew Buddie – Shield’s Garage (Handmade, 1976)