Pintacuda
Pintacuda
is a spin off from the pull string series. The propeller key gave
Pintacuda a tropical 1950's racecar driver feeling, since its name is
originated from an Italian ace from that period.
Pintacuda has legs in different heights, which allows him to hop
peculiarly, as if it intends to take off in a hurry. The propeller key
can be wound with just one finger, turning in a circular motion, or, by
using both fingers as you would normally wind up a clock.
You can slightly change Pintacuda's behavior by bending the wire legs
gently near the body or the knees. Pintacuda's center legs can be
brought closer together, or the four outer legs can be raised in
relation to the center legs.
Enjoy!
Zinc,
steel and pvc feet
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AWIKA!
For some reason we're not aware of, Awika
seems to always be in a big hurry.
Awika was born when Bonga and Sparklz got together. It has the
characteristics of both parents; the tenacious pace of Bonga, and it
"does the Sparklz" as well. Awika also has glowing parts, like its
uncle Svrocket.
Awika is a very good climber; test it with different small objects on
your desk to challene it up and down barrieres. You can also let it
climb over your hand, an open book, or, whatever elso is on your desk.
Enjoy!
Chico
Stainless steel with PVC feet
Sparking means
Length
4” |
LePinch
The new windup, Le Pinch was designed in
collaboration between Chico Bicalho and Isabella Torquato. The concept
was discussed, and based on the movement of the inchworm, back in early
2006. In order to illustrate the movement, and idea of a mechanized
inchworm, an animation was created using a 3d modeling program, and
sent to the factory, in order for research to begin.
To orchestrate the alternating movement, and articulated pivoting of Le
Pinch’s gearbox, was no easy task. The mechanics involving the unique
movement of Le Pinch was by far the most challenging windup design in
the ten years since Critter was introduced back in 1997. More than one
hundred prototypes were designed, and produced between 2006 and 2007,
but only towards the end, they began to make sense, and to move
properly. Although Le Pinch was, by far, the most complex, and
challenging windup to create, we hope it entertains people in the same
proportion, for we believe the result is exactly what we had dreamed
with from the early plans.
Chico |
Katita
Design
by Chico Bicalho
Instructions and
Maintenance
Here are some tips to enjoy your wired four-legged
friend and get the most fun out of its fidgety existence.
Katita was named after a female mutt in Rio who had just given birth to
a litter of six puppies. She became a national hero in Brazil for
having saved the life of a three-year-old boy that was being mauled by
two vicious pit bulls. She was very badly hurt after fending off the
beasts, but survived. This product is homage to Katita's courage.
To wind up Katita, hold it in one hand, keeping the counterweight from
spinning, while turning the key with the other hand. Katita works best
when all four booties touch the ground approximately 2 3/4" (7 cm) from
each other forming a square (from toe to toe). If the legs become
loose, the tabs holding the legs to the body may be pinched with a pair
of pliers. When the legs are tight, Katita gets jumpier and even more
courageous.
Every once in a while, a bit of spray lubricant will keep the engine
revving like crazy. Katita's favorite performing surfaces are marble
tables or thin carpets; essentially any level surface will do. What it
really loves is to tap dance on a pool table with other Katitas. Two or
more Katitas together make a Katita-Herophilus party.
Enjoy!
Chico
Stainless spring, PVC feet
3" x 3" x 3"H
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Cosmojetz
Design
by Chico Bicalho
Instructions and
Maintenance
Here are some tips to enjoy your wired eight-legged
friend and get the most fun out of its ultra-fidgety existence.
Cosmojetz has too much energy for its own good; it has A.D.D. elevated
to an incommensurable level, so you better wind Cosmojetz, and stand
back while it performs what it thinks is some kind of weightless
activity. To wind up Cosmojetz, hold it in one hand, keeping the
counterweight from spinning, while turning the key with the other hand.
Cosmojetz works best when four of its eight booties always touch the
ground. You can let Cosmojetz go from any of the six positions it
stands, but, Cosmojetz behaves most wildly if you let it go from either
of the two vertical positions.
Every once in a while, a bit of spray lubricant will keep the engine
revving like crazy. Cosmojetz's favorite performing surfaces are marble
or wooden tables; essentially any hard level surface will do. Two or
more Cosmojetz together may make a mess of your table cloth.
Enjoy!
Stainless steel, PVC
feet
2.5" x 2.5" x 2.5"
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ZeCar
Design
by Chico Bicalho
Styled by Guga Casari
Instructions and Maintenance
Here are some tips to enjoy your roly-poly friend,
and get the most fun out of its spring-less existence. Zecar is a very
simple toy car. Just push it, and try to make it overcome small
obstacles. Zecar can even slide on its back if the going gets tough,
but you donŐt have push Zecar very hard. Zecar overcomes barriers at
its own steady pace.
To push Zecar, hold the front and the rear ends, not the sides, and
gently give its wheels a spin by dragging them on a surface. It has
lots of torque, and it moves rather slowly. You can choose to have the
traction be the front, or the rear wheels. You can also slide it
upside-down on its flywheel and two free spinning wheels. Zecar is not
a race car, or demolition derby machine; it should not fall off tables,
or be slammed around.
Zecar came to this world for a very important mission, other than
entertaining us; all of the proceeds from the royalties will go towards
reforestation projects in Rio de Janeiro
State, Brazil. The funds will contribute to the planting of
thousands of trees a year to help restore part of the Atlantic Tropical
Rainforest, the most critically damaged in Brazil, with the richest
variety of trees anywhere in the world.
Stainless steel
flywheel car
3.5" x 2.5" x 2.5"
|
Oahaca
Oahaca
belongs to a group so unruly and wild, we had to put them on a leash!
There are two ways you can set Oahaca in motion; when you pull the
Saturn on top, you can hold on to the pull-string, and guide it through
its mission, or, you can let it go and see what happens.
Oahaca is the first member of a new family of windups with double
spinning off-center weights, and pull-string.
Enjoy!
Chico
Stainless
steel with pull string
Hops around when string is pulled
Height 5.5” |
Critter
CRITTER
Design by Chico Bicalho
Instructions and
Maintenance
Here
are some tips to enjoy your wired four-legged friend and get the most
fun out of its fidgety existence. Critter is like an old Jeep with the
mind of a mosquito; it needs occasional maintenance, tweaking and
sometimes a drop of oil. Don't worry; it's all part of the fun. To wind
up Critter, hold it in one hand, keeping the counterweight from
spinning, while turning the key with the other hand.
Critter works best when all four booties touch the ground approximately
4" (10 cm) left to right, and 4 1/2" (11.5 cm) front to rear. The legs
may be adjusted by gently bending the wire near the body. If it falls
over too often, bend the legs slightly apart until Critter becomes
steadier. If it's not active enough, adjust the legs closer together.
Every once in a while, a bit of spray lubricant will keep the engine
revving like crazy. Critter's favorite performing surfaces are marble
tables or thin carpets; essentially any level surface will do. What it
really loves is to tap dance on a pool table with other Critters. Two
or more Critters together make a Critter-jitter party.
Stainless steel, PVC feet
Height 9"
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Spinney
Design
by Chico Bicalho
Instructions and
Maintenance
Here are some tips to enjoy your wired four-legged friend and get the
most fun out of its fidgety existence. Spinney is like an old lawn
mower with the mind of a flea; it needs occasional maintenance,
tweaking and sometimes a drop of oil. Don't worry; it's all part of the
fun.
To wind up Spinney, hold it in one hand, keeping the counterweight from
spinning, while turning the key with the other hand. Spinney works best
when all four booties touch the ground approximately 2" (5 cm) left to
right, and 2" (5 cm) front to rear (from front toe to rear heel), and
legs have to be swept back. The legs may be adjusted by gently bending
the wire near the body. If it falls over too often, bend the legs
slightly apart until Spinney becomes steadier. If it's not active
enough, adjust the legs closer together.
Every once in a while, a bit of spray lubricant will keep the engine
buzzing like crazy. Spinney's favorite performing surfaces are marble
tables or thin carpets; essentially any level surface will do. What it
really loves is to tap dance on a pool table with other Spinneys, but
please, no target practice. Two or more Spinneys together make a
Spinney-whinny party.
Stainless steel, PVC feet
2.5" x 2.5" x 2.5" |
Cranky
Design
by Chico Bicalho
Instructions and
Maintenance
Here are some tips to enjoy your wired four-legged
friend and get the most fun out of its fidgety, yet useful, existence.
Cranky wants to help you remember stuff by holding cards, pictures,
notes, reminders, whatever you can wedge in its little claws, and, it
dances to get your attention, like those women in boxing matches,
showing the rounds card. Nevertheless, Cranky's action is more exciting
when it's not holding anything, since it isn't a bodybuilder, and the
weight slows the poor creature down.
To wind up Cranky, hold it in one hand, keeping the counterweight from
spinning, while turning the key with the other hand. Cranky works best
when all four booties touch the ground approximately 2" (5 cm) forming
a square from toe to toe. The legs may be adjusted by gently bending
the wire near the body. If it falls over too often, bend the legs
slightly apart until Cranky becomes steadier. If it's not doing the
samba, adjust the legs closer together.
Every once in a while, a bit of spray lubricant will keep the engine
revving like crazy. Cranky's favorite performing surfaces are marble
tables or thin carpets; essentially any level surface will do. What it
really loves is to tap dance on a pool table with other Crankys. Two or
more Crankys together make a very flashy party.
Stainless spring, PVC
feet
2.5" x 1.5" x 4.5" H
Holds cards, memos, photos...
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Sparklz
Design
by Chico Bicalho
Instructions and
Maintenance
Here are some tips to enjoy your wobbling friend
and get the most fun out of its flickering existence.
Sparklz thinks it is one of those Greek gods of lightning, but it's
still working on the thunder and rain. Meanwhile, Sparklz just wobbles
around aimlessly with its little rudder, looking for a meaning in life.
A straight descendent of the Japanese Critters from Mxyplyzyk, Sparklz
actually hates fire; it loves nature and water, dense forests, and the
creatures that live in it. Just to be on the safe side, you should keep
Sparklz away from any flammable liquids, or vapors.
To wind up Sparklz, hold its wheels in one hand, while turning the key
with your other hand. it's that simple. Every once in a while, a bit of
spray lubricant will keep the engine revving like crazy. Sparklz's
favorite performing surfaces are marble or wooden tables; essentially
any hard level surface will do. What it really loves is to wonder on
the floor with other Sparklz. Two or more Sparklz together may make
your pets very confused.
Stainless spring, stainless wheels
Wheel on top gives off sparks as Sparklz wobbles around
3.5" x 2" x 3"H
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Bonga
Design
by Chico Bicalho
Instructions and
Maintenance
Here are some tips to enjoy your multi-legged
friend and get the most fun out of its tenacious existence.
Bonga thinks it is going through an evolutionary period in its life.
Smack in the 21st century, Bonga has an attitude not unlike sea
creatures had when they began crawling out of the water. Except, Bonga
is in a big hurry, and it doesn't have millions of years to spare.
Bonga's Darwinian mind is determined; it will crawl over anything to
get to its objective, whatever that is. Try setting up small obstacles
to keep Bonga distracted; test its limit by increasing the level of
difficulty to challenge Bonga's climbing ability.
To wind up Bonga, hold its 8 feet in your hand, and crank the double
propeller keys. Occasionally, a bit of spray lubricant will keep Bonga
in shape for the toughest challenges.
Stainless steel climbing worm with PVC feet
5" x 2.5" x 2"
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