Times change: now we take knee-room at the sink for granted.

Dad’s a cheerful sort, isn’t he? “Yup, Phil, I’m sitting in the new nook with the dogs up, eatin’ an apple. What’s that? Yessir, I shaved my head and put on a layer of caramel. Pretty much the same color as the floor and it goes with the drapes. Flies? Naw, I rub it with DDT. Life’s good, pal. Life’s good."

Another shot of the Nook. Looks a bit smaller. But the modern Living Kitchen isn’t just for nooking or listening to the radio - conveniently placed far away so you can’t change the channel without getting up and going across the room - it’s for kids as well! helce the shelf of dolls, without which any kitchen wouldn’t be complete.

You laugh, but consider idea kitchens today: big rooms that double as family centers, with toys in the corner and toys on the table. This was how it started. This was how toys got a foot in the door, right here.