Space-themed
action figure introduced in the late
1960's, spawned by America's interest in the
space race. An entire group of figures were produced, with accompanying
accessories, including
vehicles,
weapons, and a
space station.
The action figures were rubber with bendable arms and legs supported by a wire running down the limbs. Hours of play, bending the arms and legs back and forth, were a sure way to wear out the metal wire, causing the Major to become an amputee and forcing him into retirement. The heads were also removeable, which lent itself to a rather odd mental picture when I was a child and first heard the term "losing your head."