The Traveling Museum Collection
I have decided that in lieu of having a permanent display location for the Laser Tag Museum Collection at this time, I will take select pieces on the road with me for periodic mobile exhibits to be on display for in-person viewing at various laser tag events. This is what I will refer to going forward as the “Traveling Museum Collection” and I am excited to already have more mobile exhibits in the planning stages.
My second opportunity to set up a traveling museum exhibit occurred at the October regional tournament that took place recently at Skyway Laser Storm in Warren, OH. The theme of this exhibit was “History of the Head Game: Helmets, Headsets and Head Sensors in Traditional Laser Tag from the First Decade of the Game.”
People really appear to be enjoying the opportunities to see these pieces of laser tag history!
A few items that were spotlighted for this display include Photon, the original laser tag game featuring a helmet with sensors as seen on this vintage pod.
Alongside it were examples of phaser shells and the wooden mold that served as the basis for the Photon v4 phaser design.
Although the museum collection does not currently include an example of Lazer Zone, it is important to acknowledge this company whose equipment debuted only about six months following the launch of Photon. Their equipment included a headpiece with target sensors.
Star Laser Force was the third commercial laser tag game developed, opening in Houston in 1985. This system also utilized a helmet.
Vultrek was launched in Australia in 1986 with a helmet and chest piece. A Gen 1 pack with an orange helmet was included in this display.
Laserforce Gen 1 and 2 also featured helmets as part of their first equipment designs.
Headsets were used in the original Laser Storm equipment, which was developed as an evolution from Space Sport.
And (although slightly past the first decade of the game) the Phaser Fun equipment similarly included a headset and battery belt when they launched in 1995.
From the home laser tag market, the Worlds of Wonder Lazer Tag StarLyte hard helmet is an example of another head piece from the history of laser tag and was displayed alongside two rarities from that brand. The black prototype StarLyte Pro Rifle (the last of its kind) and the white StarLyte Pistol salesman’s sample (one of six known to exist) were also showcased as part of this display.
I am so pleased to have had this opportunity to bring a variety of laser tag artifacts to share and display in person for the laser tag players and visitors in attendance at this event. Watch for more upcoming mobile exhibits as I continue to share pieces as part of the Traveling Museum Collection.
Comments or Questions?
Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com
Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com
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