Meet TV Teddy – the 1993 interactive toy that tried to bring your teddy bear to life. Inspired by the wildly popular talking Teddy Ruxpin from the mid-'80s, this fuzzy friend from YES! Entertainment (USA) used a wireless transmitter linked to your VCR. Pop in a VHS tape, and Teddy’s eyes and mouth would move in sync with your favourite cartoons – from Thomas the Tank Engine to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

It was clever tech for its time, reading hidden barcodes in the video to trigger Teddy’s responses. But there was a catch: Teddy didn’t interact with you – only with the pre-recorded content on screen. Despite plans for broadcast compatibility, only VHS tapes were released, so watching TV with Teddy was more passive than playful. Still, TV Teddy marked a fascinating moment in the evolution of interactive toys – a slightly creepy relic from the golden age of home video.