The 1st ever smart-toy, first introduced in 1978 by the Mego Corporation who was known for its production of dolls and classic action figures in the 70s was seen as an innovator combining toys and education.
"To Excel" or 2XL was voice capable; it was able to tell stories and sing using its special 8-track tapes.
The toy's tapes asked multiple choice questions based type of tape chosen according to its subject. This was operated by pushing a YES/NO button that changed the tracking of the tape. The use of the 8 track was innovative and gave the user almost 4 different outcomes based on their answers.
The original version was made of brown plastic with white plastic found on the anterior face of the robot. It had two red light bulbs for the eyes. These bulbs also flashed at moments while 8-track cartridge tape programs played. It had four red buttons on its stomach with designated options for answers to questions asked by the toy, such as "Question," "A or Yes Or True," "B or More Info," and "C or No or False. A knob is also found on the lower right portion of the toy which controlled its volume and power. At the bottom was a large slot for the 8-track cartridge tapes. This particular version was essentially a regular 8-track player, but by utilizing unique, clever, and patented mathematical decision tree programming methods, over 20 interactive modes of operation were achieved. It seemed to most people like a computer which had enough information and interactive questions to entertain and educate a child (or adult) up to two hours. Subjects included sports quiz, Guinness Book of World Records, the metric system, general information and jokes.
The mold and look got a minor change in 1980. The eye lights became red and responded to the voice. The flashing lights also became brighter, and the speaker in the back of the unit was changed from a hexagon shape to a more traditional round. The plastic was glossier looking.
Michael J. Freeman the inventor of the toy did the voice on the tapes himself . The 8-Track programs focused around a robot with a New York accent, who would speak as if the listener was right there with him wherever he happened to be in the storyline. Freeman used a synthesizer to make the voice a high-pitched robot-like sound, yet his voice and the personality he created for the toy came through this process. 2-XL was interactive playing various tracks from a magnetic audio tape depending on the user's actions. It also had complex applications where the various tracks were not only selected to create interactivity but the use of staggering the tracks and psdo memory were also utilized.
2-XL's personality was very popular and kids loved the back-and-forth banter. For example, If a child got an answer wrong 2-XL might utter something like: "perhaps your brain went on strike! You are Wrong." Or, "Nice try but (whispering) you are wrong, but go ahead, I will be a nice little toy robot and give you a second chance now." "Even though you needed two chances you finally got the answer right, elephant is the correct answer"'. "But do not get too excited, you have now earned yourself a more difficult question. Hold on to your hat, here it comes" If the child was right, 2-XL might say: "Although I have the looks you have the brains. You must be a genius. Good work." Or, "it is amazing that big brain of yours fits into the head of a child. Nice answer, football is correct.
2XL was unprecedented in terms of market revenue. Starting in 1978, about approximately 50 tapes for 2-XL, all sold separately had been produced. These specialized tapes ranged from multiple choice trivia to interactive stories, akin to popular "Choose Your Own Adventure" novels. Some even included historical audio clips from presidential addresses.
Though wildly popular for several years, sales for the 2-XL declined by the 1980s, and The Mego Corporation discontinued the toy in 1981.
Over a decade later, Tiger Electronics reintroduced 2-XL to the public. With a redesigned robot body, the new 2-XL was battery operated, and utilized compact cassette tapes rather than the old eight-track cartridges. Like its predecessor, Tiger's 2-XL became an immediate success. However, after several years and a TV game show, the Tiger Electronics 2-XL ended production in 1995.
Collector Wise:
The MEGO Version of this toy is a favorite of mine. A complete working 2XL is about $75 shipped in the box however, he doubles for a standard 8 track player so that purchase price is pretty fair .
Program tapes are pretty easy to come by but over the past 40 years the tapes have started to degrade so finding a Program without any damage or playing it without hearing the other programs bleeding over the track your playing is very difficult. Most of the tapes wind up being stored with other media and not in ideal weather conditions.
The power cord must be the approved 9V DC supply or you risk burning out the electronics.
If you have a 2XL and his power cord supply in order for him to work you must have a 8 track tape. He will not turn on unless a tape is inserted into his "belly"
Historically, playing one of these program tapes and hearing speeches and questions on pop culture that was from 40 years ago is a huge flashback of fun.
The Tiger Electronics version is also very collectible, however in most cases, the player is damaged because of old batteries being left inside or the tape deck itself just not moving the tape anymore. It seems the 8 track version was built better. The Tiger Electronics version's program tapes are the high dollar value with some selling for $70 based on the theme. Popular versions are Jurassic Park, Tale of Phantom Manor and Ripleys Believe it or Not Strange. I have been lucky and found tapes in Teddy Ruxbin lots on eBay.