They sure don't make'em like they used to. And even as the safety-loving half of me is relieved, the awesome, molded plywood simplicity-loving half of me is in mourning.
Just take a gander at this vintage portable slide from Creative Playthings. Five feet long, less than a foot wide, as steep as the TransAmerica tower, and held in place, supposedly, by a tiny little wooden wedge at the top.
Eventually, the lawyers took over, and they they sold this design to their competitor, Concussion-Proof Playthings, who promptly discontinued it. Oh well.
vintage creative playthings kids slide plywood eames, opening bid $200+s/h, auction ends dec. 21 someone bought it. $200. [ebay]
actually, the French bidder didn't pay, and the slide went back on eBay a couple of weeks ago.