by NostagiBot » Sun May 10, 2009 3:15 pm
I know... I know... I am a few days late on this subject. But, better late than never. I am thrilled to see Transformers making it to the quarter century mark. And, thank Primus too, as it could have been worse... we could be celebrating 25 years of GoBots. Yuck!
I have read many postings on this event. And, some have been rather amusing, specifically, those involving what we might be like 25 years from now when we tell our kids or grandkids what it was like for us to have Transformers. And, as one who has experienced the whole of Generation One, I wholeheartedly agree.
A little story for those who want to know. I first experienced Transformers prior to the release of the brand while I was in Germany in 1983 (my father served in the US Air Force). I was about 9 years old at the time. The base was having a celebration, which was called a "bazaar", which also included something similar to a flea market of sorts. One toy vendor had a yellow car behind him and something about it just struck me with curiousity. I inquired to look at it, to which, I was told "no" by the vendor for fear of my accidentally breaking it or something. But, he showed me it was a transforming robot. Later, after I returned stateside, I discovered that that robot had been Sunstreaker.
I came back to the US on my 11th birthday in 1984. And, we arrived in Pennsylvania. A few hours of travelling later, we wound up at an Air Force base in New Jersey, where we stayed at builleting (kind of like a hotel for families arriving, leaving, or in transit from one base to another). The next morning, which I believe was a Saturday, I watched the TV and there was the Transformers cartoon. I became instantly hooked with the concept of alien robots that transformed into trucks, cars, planes (especially, the planes), and guns. And, as you pretty much guessed, I wanted one after seeing a commercial for one of the figures during a commercial break.
I received my first Transformer a few days later while I was visiting my grandmother in Maine (before we were to report to our assigned base in Texas). It was Windcharger. And, out of all the toys I had on hand during my long ride to Texas from Maine, this was the only toy I desired to play with over and over. Interestingly, today- in 2009- I still have my Windcharger. It's limbs are loose, but intact. And, one day, I hope to pass it and all the TFs I have collected over the years to my son when I reaches the age of understanding sentimental value over financial value.