Time Line
Dawn of man:
Ape-like creatures discover a large rectangular block of stone.
Spend next million years looking for a good glue to stick it to
something and a good paint color match
1957:
One striking figure mentioned is a Gallup poll from
1957 which reported that 80% of teenage boys listed plastic modeling
as their favorite hobby.
1964:
Aurora Gigantic Frankenstein released.
1978:
Aurora closes its doors.
1987:
Tom Lowe founds Safe Care in Dundee IL
1994:
Johnny Lightning brand launched.
1994:
Safe Care becomes Playing Mantis.
1994:
Polar Lights brand launched.
1995:
First Polar Lights kits produced - the Addams Family
House special for FAO Schwarz.
1996:
First PL website and bulletin board started.
1998:
Hobby talk PL BB started.
February 22, 1999:
The
Hypothetical Question is asked. Should Polar Lights pay for the
bulletin board?
February 26, 1999:
Tom is
convinced. The BB is saved.
September, 1999:
PL web
site updated and crashes. BB members rush in to try and save the
day
October, 1999:
LAPCO
announced
February, 2000:
Yamahog leaves UNC and goes to Duke.
March, 2000:
Mike
Warshaw’s article on Playing Mantis and Polar Lights published in
Inc. Magazine
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20000315/17875.html
April 27,
2001: Dark days. Lisa leaves Polar Lights under less
than positive circumstances. Board members cannot believe Da
Queen has gone. Many leave for the Club House board.
June 7, 2004:
RC2
acquires Playing Mantis
June 12, 2006: The lights go out.
The Polar Lights Bulletin Board is
closed.
November,
2006: Polar Lights brand eliminated by RC2. The PL
names disappears from the RC2 website. Previous links to the PL
website now direct the user to the new RC2 Johnny Lightning website.