This post contains SPOILERS for HBO’s The Last of Us series.
He fifth episode from HBO’s The Last of Us has become a favorite along with 1×03. And is not for less! It has it all: drama, action, infected, many references… We have told you all the references, differences and similarities regarding the game, but there is a curiosity regarding a prominent object that we had not told you about.
The “magic slate” that Sam wears around his neck and that he uses to communicate with Henry, Ellie and Joel. It is impossible that you have not noticed. Surely many of you, especially the younger ones, think that it is a current object, cutting-edge magical technology at least. The reality is that it has more years that many of you and that the editor who has written this publication.
This classic or vintage toy is called Magic Slate Toy or magic blackboards in Europe. They became popular during the decades of the 80’s and 90’salthough its creation dates back to 1950. They were losing popularity as technology conquered our lives: mobile phones, tablets, PCs, consoles…
The model that Sam uses was released in the mid 80’s and was decorated with drawings. Sam’s blackboard is themed with the cartoon Woody Woodpecker or The Woody Bird, although there were also models of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and the Disney franchise.
If you want to know more about this retro toy, you can take a look at the many videos on YouTube, which inform about its features and show different models. So now you know: it is not a high-tech object, but a toy that is older than many of us. Others surely remember this particular model, you may have even had one in your hands!
