Anthropomorphic Test Dummies

This was an interesting story on the evolution of crash test dummies on CBS This Morning today. The ATDs are now so state of the art, that they are effective in reducing the number of traffic fatalities to the lowest point they have been since the late 40s when these numbers were first recorded. Dolls, and this is what they are, are saving peoples' lives. The dummies are repaired after every crash. Some may rememer the plush dolls and little plastic figures made during the late 80s and 90s as toys to promote public safety. Most of the TYCO figures and dolls were made in 1992. This isn't the first time dolls have saved lives; see our blog Doll Museum which is a chronological museum of doll history where we discuss Ushabti and tomb figures that were buried with people in place of live humans in the Ancient World. Also, magic, medicinal, and ritual figures like Mandrake figures, fertility dolls, good luck dolls, etc., were meant to cure human ailments and improve the human condition. Finally, there are the Resuca Annie dolls and other mannikins used to tech CPR and hosptial procedure. The most famous of these are the lifesized chase hospital dolls. There are also baby mannikins used to teach childcare, and dolls and puppets galore used in therapy, Acupunture figrues, and models of the human body used in anatomy classes. Here is the link to watch the story from CBS This Morning: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7424112n&tag=showDoorFlexGridRight;flexGridModule Here is a story about them from ExPonent:http://www.exponent.com/anthropomorphic_test_dummy_atd_laboratory/ Anthropomorphic Test Devices, a.k.a. crash test dummies, are often times a critical element of a test or evaluation. An environmentally controlled laboratory at Exponent's TEC includes fixtures and equipment for test dummy calibration and maintenance. The family of Hybrid III dummies: 12-month-old, three-year-old, six-year-old, 5th percentile adult females, 50th percentile males, and the 95th percentile male, are included in TEC's test dummy inventory. In addition to Hybrid III dummies, Exponent's TEC has side-impact, Hybrid II test dummies and a six-month CAMI. TEC's test dummies can be modified to meet the anthropometry (height, weight, and body measurements) required for an investigation or evaluation. Furthermore, special application test dummies can also be made available at Exponent's TEC upon a client's request

Here is information about the toys, with some photos:

Tyco stumbled upon one of the great toy licenses in history when they got the Incredible Crash Dummies. Who would have thought that public service mascots would make such great toys? The success of the series lay in the fact that playing with the toys involved crashing them into stuff, which is something that some sadistic kids did with their other toys. Some of these were rereleased by Mattel (which now owns Tyco) in 2005. They also produced new sets. Checklist Vince Slick Larry Spin Daryl Spare Tire Skid the Kid Hubcap and Bumper Crash Car with Dash Student Driver Car with Axel Crash Cycle Crash Chopper Crash ATV with Flip Crash Lawn Mower with Wack Crash Go-Cart with J.R. Crash N Bash Chair Crash Test Center Slam Cycle Crash Plane Crash Cab Dummy Derby Car Bash N Bomber Car Citgo Slick and Spin Pitstop Pro-Tek Suit Slick Pro-Tek Suit Spin Pro-Tek Suit Bull Pro-Tek Suit Daryl Pro-Tek Suit Spare Tire Pro-Tek Suit Chip Pro-Tek Suit Dent Dirt Digger Flip Over Truck Junkman Piston Head Jack Hammer Sideswipe 'Bot Hauler Junkbot Wrecker Crash Cannon Junkyard Playset Ted with Video Junkman with Video http://www.virtualtoychest.com/i/incrediblecrashdummies/incrediblecrashdummies.html