Sea Monkey Kits and Novelty Packets Overview

Jun 26, 2024

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Sea Monkey Kits and Novelty Packets Overview - Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Basic Sea Monkey Kit Contents:
    • Water purifier
    • Sea monkey eggs
    • Growth food
  • Three-step process to establish a sea monkey colony
  • Other novelty packets exist, offering different functionalities: food options, mating powder, etc.
  • Goal: Analyze and test various novelty sea monkey packets.

List of Packets to be Tested

  1. Sea monkey water purifier
  2. Instant live sea monkey eggs
  3. Sea monkey growth food
  4. Plasma 3
  5. Banana treat
  6. Grow quickly
  7. Cupid's arrow (mating powder)
  8. Red magic (vitamins)
  9. Super food
  10. Sea medic (medicine)
  11. Sea monkey sea diamonds
  12. Sea monkey racing fuel

Historical Context

  • Early kits (1960s) simpler; only one metallic silver packet.
  • 1964: Multiple-step process introduced; illustrations commissioned for different packets.
  • Packet redesigns over the years by various artists: Henry Lammoth, Ben Harvey, Joe Orlando.

Packet Breakdown and Analysis

1. Sea Monkey Water Purifier

  • Design: Blue and yellow
  • Instructions: Add to water, wait 24-36 hours before adding eggs
  • Ingredients: Assorted mixed salts
  • Function: Purifies water, adds necessary salts for sea monkeys
  • History: Various design changes; key element since 1960s
  • Contains sneaky sea monkey eggs to facilitate 'instant' hatching

2. Instant Live Sea Monkey Eggs

  • Design: Red and yellow
  • Instructions: Add to prepared water, stir
  • Ingredients: Mixed salts and brine shrimp eggs (cysts)
  • Contains a few sea monkey eggs and color dye

3. Sea Monkey Growth Food

  • Design: Green and yellow
  • Instructions: Feed sea monkeys after hatching and every 7 days thereafter
  • Ingredients: Mixed salts, ground vegetable powder
  • Contains a few sea monkey eggs

4. Plasma 3

  • Design and Function: Increase survival rate of sea monkeys
  • Instructions: Add scoops as advised, mostly salt and sea monkey eggs
  • History: Previously called living plasma

5. Banana Treat (Novelty Food)

  • Design: Multiple redesigns
  • Function: Fun food with vitamins
  • Ingredients: Similar to growth food, minimal eggs observed

6. Grow Quickly (Growth Stimulator)

  • Design: Bright illustrations showing rapid growth
  • Function: Claims to expedite sea monkey growth
  • Contains sea monkey eggs

7. Cupid's Arrow (Mating Powder)

  • Design: Intriguing and adult-themed
  • Function: Encourages mating behavior
  • Ingredients: Similar to other food packets, found eggs

8. Red Magic (Vitamins)

  • Design: Promises good health and vibrancy
  • Function: Alternate food with vitamins
  • History: Claims to turn sea monkeys red
  • Contains eggs and colorful particles

9. Super Food

  • Design: Retro illustrations
  • Function: Occasional feeding for added health
  • Ingredients: Similar to standard growth food, contains some eggs

10. Sea Medic (Medicine)

  • Design: Medical-themed illustrations
  • Function: To treat sick sea monkeys
  • Ingredients: Mostly salts, contains a lot of eggs

11. Sea Monkey Sea Diamonds

  • Design: Described as fun toys for sea monkeys
  • Reality: Small plastic pieces with exaggerated marketing promises
  • No significant effect noted

12. Sea Monkey Racing Fuel

  • Design: Collectible, rare novelty item
  • Function: To enhance sea monkey races by creating an 'ideal' swimming environment
  • Ingredients: Colored salts
  • History: Includes various colors based on vintage kits

Experiments & Results Summary

  • Water Purifier: Confirmed to have viable sea monkey eggs.
  • Instant Live Eggs: Produced fewer sea monkeys than packet 1.
  • Growth Food: Produced a few new sea monkey hatchlings.
  • Plasma 3: Produced many new sea monkeys, likely due to additional eggs.
  • Banana Treat: No notable behavioral changes, but sea monkeys were healthy.
  • Grow Quickly: Faster growth observed, but also due to optimal conditions.
  • Cupid's Arrow: Some mating observed, but results may vary.
  • Red Magic: No significant color change noted; healthy sea monkeys.
  • Super Food: No dramatic change in behavior or health.
  • Sea Medic: Improved health of sickly sea monkeys, some new hatchlings.
  • Sea Diamonds: No interactive play observed; misleading marketing.
  • Racing Fuel: Green water created; no impact on sea monkey speed or behavior.

Conclusion

  • Novelty packets add fun and imaginative elements to the sea monkey experience.
  • Many packets contain similar base ingredients (salts, food, and eggs).
  • Essential packets (1, 2, 3) are crucial for sea monkey health and development.
  • Rarer packets are more collectible and for enhancing the sea monkey experience.