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In 1968 Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. In 1972 she launched a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, breaking another political barrier.
MORE →Reflects the personal views, recollections, and perspective of the author, Mike Davis.
This is a personal recollection on the Move fire on May 13, 1985
 | |
| Type | Mini action figures |
|---|---|
| Invented by | Galoob |
| Company | Galoob |
| Country | United States |
| Availability | 1992–94 |
| Materials | Plastic |
| Features | ZBots |
| Slogan | "Designed to Defend!" |
Micro Machines Zbots (or Z-Bots) are small action figures that were made by Galoob and first released in 1992 as part of its Micro Machines line of products. Galoob released four series of Zbots from 1992 to 1994, also creating a number of Zbot vehicles alongside the figures.
The heroes were the ZBots (Designed to Defend!). The villains were the Voids (Made to Menace!). Each side has their own logo, usually imprinted on each robot's torso, although some do not have a visible logo. The Z-Bots' logo is a "Z", while the Voids' is a stylized "V".
Each Zbot design came in two different color sets, each listed as an individual character. Additionally, the Zbots often outnumbered the Voids two to one. Generally, the packages came with three of the figures each, with either two Voids and a Zbot, or two Zbots and a Void.
The original story behind the Zbots was that they were invented in 2025 by a group of scientists to protect the world from evil. However, almost sixty years later, a group of rival scientists stole the technology and built rival machines.[1] The current war, according to the description, is taking place in the 22nd century.
The later Vortexx HQ and Fang Fighter playsets developed it further, by giving the scientist who created the Zbots a name and making a computer virus the real reason the Voids exist, making them robots who used to be Zbots but had their circuitry corrupted.[1]
Some of the Z-Bots & Voids, called Morphbots, have the ability to transform. There were some, called Bitebots, which could "bite" simply opening their large mouths, often the size of their body. Some had wheels which gave them the ability to roll. There were also sets of Z-Bots & Voids that combined to make even larger bots. They were called Linkbots. Their names even combined into one. Baz, Oo, and Ka, for example, became Bazooka.
There was even a series of military-themed robots called Combots. Often the same model with different paint jobs was used as both a Void and Z-bot. There were also 1/2 inch tall Z-Bots called Mini Z's. These Z's had interchangeable parts. Some Z-Bots had motors that made them go faster simply by scooting them along the floor. These were called Revbots. There were even giant Z-Bots that acted as playsets. There were many accessories including spaceships.
In 1994, Burger King had a promotion where Kids Meals came with Z-Bots. KFC also had a promotion.[2]
Source: Wikipedia. Article content is retrieved live through the MediaWiki API.
Micro Machines Zbots (or Z-Bots) are small action figures that were made by Galoob and first released in 1992 as part of its Micro Machines line of products. Galoob released four series of Zbots from 1992 to 1994, also creating a number of Zbot vehicles alongside the figures. The heroes were the ZBots (Designed to Defend!). The villains were the Voids (Made to Menace!). Each side has their own logo, usually imprinted on each robot's torso, although some do not have a visible logo. The Z-Bots' logo is a "Z", while the Voids' is a stylized "V". Each Zbot design came in two different color sets, each listed as an individual character. Additionally, the Zbots often outnumbered the Voids two to one. Generally, the packages came with three of the figures each, with either two Voids and a Zbot, or two Zbots and a Void.
Coleco Industries, Inc. ( kə-LEE-koh) was an American company founded in 1932 by Maurice Greenberg as The Connecticut Leather Company. The name "COLECO" is an abbreviation derived from the company's original name. It was a successful toy company in the 1980s, mass-producing versions of Cabbage Patch Kids dolls and its video game consoles, the Coleco Telstar dedicated consoles and ColecoVision. While the company ceased operations in 1988 as a result of bankruptcy, the Coleco brand was revived in 2005, and remains active to this day.
Mattel, Inc. is an American multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company headquartered in El Segundo, California. Founded in Los Angeles by Harold Matson, Ruth Handler, and Elliot Handler in January 1945, Mattel has a presence in 35 countries and territories. Its products are sold in more than 150 countries. Mattel is the world's second-largest toy manufacturer by revenue, after the Lego Group. Mattel's brand Barbie was named the top global toy property by the NPD Group in 2020 and 2021, while its brand Hot Wheels was named the top-selling global toy for both of those years.
An action figure is a poseable character model figure made most commonly of plastic, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, military, video game, television program, or sport; fictional or historical. These figures are usually marketed toward boys and adult collectors. The term was coined by Hasbro in 1964 to market G.I. Joe to boys (while competitors called similar offerings boy's dolls). According to a 2005 study in Sweden, action figures which display traditional masculine traits primarily target boys. While most commonly marketed as a child's toy, the action figure has gained widespread acceptance as collector item for adults. In such a case, the item may be produced and designed on the assumption it will be bought solely for display as a collectible and not played with like a child's toy. Action figures are also oftentimes used for stop motion animation.
Before the 1921 destruction of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, Black residents had created a remarkable center of business and community life. The district included stores, professional offices, entertainment venues and homes owned by Black citizens. Understanding Greenwood means learning what was built—not only what was burned.
MORE →Joe Louis.