Galaxy Warrior Battery Operated Robot (Stormtrooper Knock-Off): These Galaxy Warrior robot toys were released in the wake of Star Wars and they echo certain elements of the film's design. Specifically, the head of the toy is obviously derived from the by-then-very-familar helmet of the Imperial stormtroopers. I suppose the rest of the toy isn't too reminiscent of Star Wars, but the helmet is enough-- it makes the thing look like some kind of super stormtrooper, perhaps drawn from a Star Wars comic or novel. But if the helmet's not enough to excite you, it also comes with a chest that bursts open to reveal "blinking and shooting" guns.

I find this piece interesting because it shows how Star Wars came to influence a genre of sci-fi toys of a much longer standing: that of the electronic or battery-operated robot, which had been the stereotypical sci-fi toy prior to the Star Wars era. Plus, the box is really cool. It states that the toy was produced by Amico in 1979. I've also seen a silver version.