#16: Little Miss Echo
The Little Miss Echo doll, introduced in the late 1960s, was a novel toy known for its ability to mimic sounds and voices. Equipped with a microphone and a speaker, the doll could record and playback phrases, adding an interactive element. However, it faced discontinuation due to concerns about its potential to record and play back inappropriate or private conversations inadvertently.
Some parents and consumer advocacy groups expressed worries about the doll’s impact on children’s privacy and the possibility of unauthorized voice recordings. These concerns, combined with changing toy preferences, led to the discontinuation of the Little Miss Echo doll. Although it may have been ahead of its time in terms of technology, it ultimately became a relic of the past.