The Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump is a unique attraction located in Schiller Woods Forest Preserve in Cook County, Illinois. It is a whimsical and interactive water feature that captivates visitors of all ages. The Magic Water Pump is an innovative creation that combines art, technology, and nature. It consists of a series of water pumps strategically placed within a landscaped area, forming a network of pipes and fountains. The water flows through these pipes, creating a harmonious blend of sights, sounds, and movements. The main highlight of the Magic Water Pump is its interactive element.
When Barbie makes her return to Weird Barbie's Dreamhouse, she's greeted by yet another strange sight: a life-sized toy yellow Labrador dropping spheres of brown "poop" all over the floor. Turns out, this is another callback to the Barbie vault.
Released in 2009 and possible proof that there wasn t a single member of the LGBTQ community working in Mattel marketing at the time, Sugar Daddy Ken was released in 2009 as part of Barbie s Palm Beach line, and came with a dapper suit, floral swim trucks and a West Highland Terrier puppy. Margot Robbie s Stereotypical Barbie is introduced to some of the less-popular members of the Barbie doll canon when her existential crisis has her returning to Weird Barbie s Kate McKinnon house, lamenting the way her fellow beautiful Barbies have been brainwashed into complacency by the Kens.
The main highlight of the Magic Water Pump is its interactive element. Visitors can control the flow of water by turning various handles and valves throughout the installation. This allows them to create different patterns, shapes, and even music with the water.
Introducing Earring Magic Ken! He’s wearing a what as a necklace?
Last month, after a week of bidding I acquired one Earring Magic Ken doll. Mattel’s best selling Ken doll.
I know what you might be thinking. Thomas you are an adult, why on earth are you buying a Ken doll? And moreover why is that relevant to your blog?
Disregarding the fact, that I still have several Barbies from when I was a young lass. Earring Magic Ken is special, because he was inadvertently designed off of queer rave fashion of the early 1990s. Specifically, he’s wearing a cock ring as a necklace, which was a known queer fashion statement at the time.
Earring Magic Ken
After reaching out to their audience of young children Mattel learned they would like a new Ken doll to be cooler and more hip. So they went out looking for what was cool and as it happened the queer fashion worming its way into the mainstream was what they picked up as cool. Columnist Dan Savage wrote an article in 1993, the year the doll came out, detailing a really excellent explanation of what was going on. I would highly recommend it as reading for anyone interested in learning more.
“Cock rings exploded (ouch!)—as vest zipper pulls, as key rings, as bracelets; rubber ones, leather ones, chain ones. But the thick chrome variety, the Classic Coke of cock rings, was and is most often worn as a pendant,” (Savage).
In 2017, Savage said in an article by Bryan Young, that he thought the “Earring Magic Ken incident [was] more of an amusing cultural blip than some kind of important moment, noting that neither the doll nor the hubbub is well-known today,” and that he didn’t think that a gay man under 40 would know about it. Well, it’s 2019 and I’m 25, so here we are.
Now I’m a queer historian so I am well aware that I’m an outlier here, because I seek out this kind of stuff. However, I discovered Earring Magic Ken through a decently popular post on Tumblr. A post which currently has over 270,000 notes. That’s no small amount of people and I’m sure many of them, like myself, are on the younger side of things. With projects like Making Queer History and books like “Queer, There and Everywhere” emerging, younger members of the LGBTQ community are getting more and more access to their history. As a result, fascinating tidbits like Earring Magic Ken are resurfacing.
The Tumblr post does admittedly have some misinformation attached to it. There’s a reblog that says that there was no corresponding Barbie for Earring Magic Ken. There were two actually, a blonde and a brunette Barbie as well as a Midge doll, they just didn’t sell particularly well opposite Ken, who flew off the shelves.
Below, I have linked two different iterations of the Tumblr post, as well as a link to the Dan Savage article, the Bryan Young article and a few others.
As always, if you enjoy my content, please considering buying be a Kofi or supporting me on Patreon.
It is a delightful experience that encourages exploration and experimentation. The Magic Water Pump is not just visually appealing, but also environmentally friendly. It utilizes a rainwater harvesting system, which collects and filters rainwater. This sustainable approach reduces the use of fresh water and promotes conservation. The installation is particularly popular among children, who are enchanted by the magical qualities of the water. They can spend hours playing, splashing, and discovering new ways to interact with the pump. The combination of creativity, science, and nature makes it an educational and entertaining experience for young minds. The Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump is more than just a water feature. It serves as a gathering place for families and friends to enjoy quality time together. The surrounding picnic tables and benches provide a comfortable setting for picnics, relaxation, and socialization. It is a place where memories are created, laughter is shared, and bonds are strengthened. Overall, the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump is a standout attraction that adds charm and wonder to the natural beauty of Schiller Woods Forest Preserve. It is a testament to the power of creativity, innovation, and the enduring magic of water. Whether you are young or young at heart, a visit to the Magic Water Pump is sure to leave you with a sense of joy and awe..
Reviews for "The Enchanting Encounters at the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump"
1. John - 1 star - The Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump was a complete disappointment. The advertised "magic" was nothing more than a simple water pump that any child could operate. The so-called "magic" tricks were predictable and lacked any wow factor. The ticket price was too high for what was essentially a mediocre experience. I would not recommend wasting your time and money on this attraction.
2. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to visit the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump, but it fell short of my expectations. The magic tricks performed were outdated and lacked any originality. The staff seemed disinterested and there was no effort to create a magical atmosphere. The water pump itself was just another run-of-the-mill attraction that you can find anywhere. Overall, it was a forgettable experience that I wouldn't recommend.
3. Sarah - 1 star - The Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump was a huge letdown. The magic tricks were poorly executed and lacked any sense of wonder. The pump itself was nothing special and definitely not deserving of the "magic" label. The whole experience felt amateurish and the staff seemed unenthusiastic. I regret spending my time and money on this attraction and would advise others to skip it.