The Mid Century Vault

Currently Playing: 101 The Wild History of Lawn Darts: They Were Fun, Till They Weren't.

What happens when a mid-century manufacturer looks at an ancient, blood-soaked Roman battlefield weapon and thinks, "This would be a blast for the kids!"? You get Lawn Darts. Welcome back to The Mid Century Vault with Philip Mershon. Today, we are opening up the vault to examine the rise and fall of Jarts—the immensely satisfying backyard game that eventually became one of the most famously banned products in American history. What you’ll learn in this video: How a dentist named Lawrence Barnett brought Jarts to the American public. The shocking connection between lawn darts and the plumbata (a lead-weighted, armor-piercing iron spike). The 1970 legal loophole that moved Jarts from the toy aisle to the sporting goods section. The relentless one-man campaign that forced the Consumer Product Safety Commission to enact a total ban in 1988. If you grew up in a time when safety instructions were just "Have fun, be careful," this trip down memory lane is for you. 👉 Subscribe to The Mid Century Vault for more weekly excursions into the fads, fashions, lifestyles, and functions between 1930 and 1980! 👉 Please like and Hype this video, it helps so much! Drop your own Jarts memories and emergency room stories in the comments! Hashtags: #BannedToys #HistoryOfJarts #RetroBackyardGames #1970sChildhood #TheMidCenturyVault #Plumbata #VintageToys