Q 01/05

Which talking 1990s toy did the US National Security Agency ban from its offices, fearing it could repeat secrets?

A) Talkboy

B) Furby

C) Yak Bak

D) Giga Pet

Answer · why

B) Furby

Furby was barred in 1999 because the agency thought it had a chip that learned from speech. The head of Tiger Electronics replied that the toy had no ...

Q 02/05

Which 1990s toy did NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson dream up while testing a new refrigeration system in his bathroom?

A) Koosh Ball

B) Moon Shoes

C) Sock'em Boppers

D) Super Soaker

Answer · why

D) Super Soaker

Super Soaker went on sale in 1990 as the Power Drencher before a rename. Johnson later won nearly $73 million from Hasbro in a dispute over underpaid ...

Q 03/05

The 1990s disc-flipping craze Pogs took its name from a passionfruit, orange and guava juice made in which US state?

A) Hawaii

B) Florida

C) California

D) Arizona

Answer · why

A) Hawaii

Hawaii is where Haleakala Dairy on Maui launched POG juice in 1971 and promoted it with printed milk caps. A teacher on Oahu revived the old cap-flipp...

Q 04/05

Which actress made The Rachel a salon favorite of the 1990s, then admitted she disliked the layered haircut herself?

A) Courteney Cox

B) Meg Ryan

C) Jennifer Aniston

D) Heather Locklear

Answer · why

C) Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston wore it as Rachel Green in the first two seasons of Friends. Stylist Chris McMillan designed the cut to repair her damaged hair and g...

Q 05/05

Which giggling plush toy sparked a shopping frenzy at Christmas 1996 after Rosie O'Donnell showed it on her talk show?

A) Tickle Me Elmo

B) Teddy Ruxpin

C) Cabbage Patch Kid

D) Talking Barney

Answer · why

A) Tickle Me Elmo

Tickle Me Elmo began as Tickle Me Taz, because Tyco at first held no licence for Sesame Street plush toys. The $28.99 doll was being resold for up to ...