2-XL

This article is about the toy. For other uses, see 2XL.

2-XL
The 2-XL version with its cassette tapes distributed by Tiger Electronics in 1992. A European version distributed by Tomy is seen here.
Other names2-XL Robot, 2XL Robot, 2XL
TypeEducational toy robot
Inventor(s)Michael J. Freeman
Company
CountryUnited States
Availability1978–1981; 1992–1995

2-XL (2-XL Robot, 2XL Robot, 2-XL Toy) is an educational toy robot that was marketed from 1978–1981[1] by the Mego Corporation, and from 1992–1995 by Tiger Electronics. 2-XL was the first "smart-toy" in that it exhibited rudimentary intelligence, memory, gameplay, and responsiveness.[2][3] 2-XL was infused with a "personality" that kept kids focused and challenged as they interacted with the verbal robot. Learning was enhanced via the use of jokes and funny sayings as verbal reinforcements for performance. 2-XL was heralded as an important step in the development of toys, particularly educational ones. 2-XL won many awards, and Playthings, a toy industry magazine, placed 2-XL on its 75th anniversary cover as one of the industry's top-ten toys of all time.[4] The 2-XL name is a pun of the phrase "to excel".[5]

  1. ^ Coopee, Todd (September 8, 2015). "2-XL Talking Robot". ToyTales.ca.
  2. ^ Gardner, Howard. "Mego 2-XL Talking Robot". Psychology Today (1979): 93.
  3. ^ Jake Rossen (October 13, 2016). "Remembering the First Smart Toy: 2-XL". mentalfloss.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2016.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "The kids' Whole Earth Catalogue, Random House book, 1982, ISBN 0-394-85090-4