MPX5080739: A boy's best friend is his dog, they say, but how about when that dog is mechanical? That's a problem being faced by many British parents now that mechanical toys are appearing on the market again - for the first time in six years. British kids of six, or under, have never known what it is to have a regular, brand- new toy, and you can never be quite sure how they'll take to innovations! Here you see one youngster's typical reaction. The mechanical dog is "Wakouwa", who can obey all commands just as soon as asked. He's made by Lines Bros., whose Merton, London, toy factory is the largest in the world. Circa 1949 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5080751: 1300 signatures were collected on petitions in the Greenford, Middlesex area in support of pay claims for teachers. The petition was presented at the Department of Education and Science in Curzon Street by three young children. Joe Barr greets Alistair Pearson Julian Pearson and Simone Brady. December 1969 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5080769: 1300 signatures were collected on petitions in the Greenford, Middlesex area in support of pay claims for teachers. The petition was presented at the Department of Education and Science in Curzon Street by three young children. Simone Brady, Julian and Alistair Pearson arrive with petition. December 1969 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5080705: Politics. Fred Mulley Minister of Transport outlined his plans for a Christmas safety drive to Sunday Mirror motoring correspondent Roy Spicer this afternoon. Amongst the literature was a large poster and a driving manual which Mr. Mulley suggested (the manual) would be an ideal Christmas present for every driver. December 1969 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5080771: Engineer and sculptor's clever animal toys. A skilled engineer, Mr. Harry Sebel, and a sculptor, R.A exhibitor, Mr. George Morwood, have combined their skill to produce animal toys that naturally walk, true to life, by the foot pedal control of the rider. The USA has been impressed and have sent their buyers who have asked for big supplies. Mr. Morwood, from his studies at the zoo, is producing the sculptored models in his studio, and Mr. Sebel has worked through many long nights devising the mechanism, to give the natural movements to the animals. The toys vary from a tortoise to a giraffe. A £100,000 factory is being equipped to start production. February 1947 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5080807: The latest thing in air travel is a dance floor for passengers on Air Canada's Jumbo Jet service from Toronto to London. Air Canada, in their efforts to attract more passengers, have installed a dance floor and taped music for passengers who would like to dance at 30,000 ft. on their way across the Atlantic. May 1972 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5081136: The Waitress' - 1970 Style: A new restaurant - night club called "Bumburs" in Coventry Street, London, in the old Corner House building, will have some of the lovely waitresses in England. The girls have been picked for their loveliness, as well as their experience. They will wear rather fetching outfits, including see-thru tops .. and see-in tops. December 1970 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5081160: Unusual/Humour/Car. Due to the Electricians strike the petrol pumps at White Service Station, Ongar, Essex were out of action until the innovation of the converted bicycle for manual pumping. The garage offered quadruple stamps for anyone wishing to pedal themselves. December 1970 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5080958: Religion: Humour: A vicar made a cake in church today to celebrate Advent traditionally the first day in the church's year. The vicar the Rev. John Harvey donned a chef's hat and a French type moustache and beard, spoke in a French accent and made the birthday cake in front of a packed congregation, in the St. Barnabas Church, Bromley, Kent. The Rev. John Harvey dons the French moustache and beard. November 1969 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5081153: Beauty Contests: "Miss World", 20 year old Eva Reuber-Staler, awoke at the Waldorf Hotel this morning to her first day as "Miss World". Champagne started the day when she gave a press conference - then it was off to the Mansion House to meet the Lord Mayor... Then a round of shopping. "Miss World" in fur coat and crown, during her shopping tour in London. November 1969 / Bridgeman Images
MPX5068011: Boogie to the brief beat. Musical knickers are all the rage in the US. Two hundred pairs costing £11 each were sold in minutes in New York when inventor David Lloyd put them on the market. The briefs have a small pocket sown into them where you can slip a speaker connected to your portable stereo equipment. "The girls say they feel every note through their bottoms." said David, 39. "I wear similar underwear all the time, like most of my pals, I really rate Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture now." David is working on musical Y-fronts for men, but in the meantime those girls who've tried the trendy knickers say that the feeling is great. Switched on.... Model Lindy Benson could feel it doing things to her. September 1981 P018792 / Bridgeman Images