The Mid Century Vault

Currently Playing: 049 The Game They Called "Sex in a Box": The Scandalous History of Twister 🔴🔵

In 1966, social etiquette was a carefully choreographed dance—until a flat piece of vinyl with 24 colored dots changed everything. Welcome back to the Mid Century Vault! Today, Philip Mershon explores the "dangerous" history of Twister, the game that broke every social rule of its time. Before it was a childhood staple, Twister was denounced by competitors and banned from the Sears catalog for being "socially inappropriate." We’re diving into the unlikely origins of the game, from a Johnson’s Shoe Polish promotion to the high-stakes "Hail Mary" pass on The Tonight Show that saved the company from bankruptcy. In this episode, you’ll discover: The original name for Twister (and why the inventor hated the new one). Why retailers were horrified by the idea of "human playing pieces." The iconic Johnny Carson and Eva Gabor moment that sold 3 million copies overnight. How a "naughty" adult game became a wholesome family favorite. Do you remember your first game of Twister? Was it a chaotic birthday party or a classic 60s mixer? Share your stories in the comments below! If you'd like to further support my work, here's my buy me a coffee link: https://coff.ee/philipmershon For more Mid Century Vault adventures, just go here: https://www.youtube.com/user/philipmershon Subscribe to the Mid Century Vault for more deep dives into the icons of the 1950s and 60s. #Twister #VintageToys #1960sHistory #JohnnyCarson #MidCenturyVault #BoardGameHistory