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Lifestyle
Jonathan Bell

Back in the 70s, Loncraine Broxton came up with the balls that everyone wanted. This is their story

Nut Tree and Cluster, from Loncraine Broxton: Innovations & Executive Toys 1969-1997.

Nostalgists of a certain age will have noticed the presence of a giant Newton’s Cradle in the title sequence for Disney's current all-conquering Jilly Cooper adaptation, Rivals. What could be more evocative of this era of executive excess, both in and out of the boardroom, than this desk toy par excellence, a noisy set of swinging metal balls?

The original Ballrace, 1967, from Loncraine Broxton: Innovations & Executive Toys 1969-1997 (Image credit: Loncraine Broxton / Four Corners Books)
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