Ideal Toy Corporation 1968 "Toys - Games - Dolls - Vinyl" Catalog

Ideal Toy Corporation 1968 "Toys - Games - Dolls - Vinyl" Catalog Cover

I believe the first appearance of the Zeroids for solicitation was through the 1968 Ideal "Toys - Games - Dolls - Vinyl" Catalog. As with other toy companies like Mattel, Kenner, etc., Ideal would issue at least one catalog a year that would showcase the line of available product. These would often be accompanied with a price sheet that sometimes would be adjusted for regional differences. This catalog has a really fantastic fully-painted rendering of the Mighty Zeroids. It's a somewhat difficult and expensive catalog to acquire due to the large Captain Action section within (unfortunately for Zeroid collectors).

Ideal Toy Corporation 1968 "Toys - Games - Dolls - Vinyl" Catalog-  Image by Craig Hedges

Here they come... from the Planet Zero! The incredible workers of the Future!

ZEROIDS

Moving across the landscape, overrunning all obstacles as inexorably as the Future itself these amazing, efficient and powerful automatons have but one purpose to serve their masters (your customers) at work and play!

Each Zeroid has a unique pair of special purpose hands, interchangeable magnetic and throwing hands, and a battery-powered motor with forward and reverse drive. In operation, Zeroids are capable of grabbing, pinching, carrying, clawing, attracting, throwing, pushing, pulling or hauling functions.

From "turret to track" each Zeroid simulates a marvelous mechano-electronic complex, molded in awesome detail, and the sparkling Zeroid packages double as functional play units!

4771-2 ZERAK - THE BLUE DESTROYER - "Turn him on" while he's still in his control station package and lookout! (sic I think – should be two words?) His brute strength unhinges the transparent plastic cover which drops to provide an exit ramp for Zerak. Employs unique hooks for hands plus magnetic and throwing hands.

4772-0 ZOBOR - THE BRONZE TRANSPORTER - A kindly carrier with special duty gripper claws. Like magic, his empty plastic package becomes a roomy Cosmobile for hauling loads. Also has magnetic and throwing hands.

4773-8 ZINTAR - THE SILVER EXPLORER - The back portion of this Zeroid's package becomes a dramatic lunar sled that seems to carry gripper-fisted Zintar over the terrain. With magnetic and throwing hands.

Each of the above-Pack per doz.: 6/12 Wgt.: 8 ⁄2 lbs.

4776-1 ZEROID ASST DEAL - Contains 1 doz. 3 styles asstd. Pack: 1 deal per carton Weight: 17 lbs.

Zeroids operate on 2 AA type batteries (Batteries not included)

John's Notes

The rendering used on these pages is really fabulous - some of the reflected highlights may be airbrushed - but in all it’s painted by hand. For the most part the Zeroid robots look like the production versions - some exceptions are the antennae and a light or surface, here or there. All that's missing are a few Major Matt Mason astronauts... (joking) 

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