Technology of the 50’sTOYS

By: Amy Cataldi

Period 5bBibliography

BARBIE

Was a real person Barbara (Barbie) Handler and her

mother and father were Ruth and Elliot.

Dolls at that time were paper or cardboard.

Ruth (mother) designed a doll for her daughter.

Her husband had a toy company and she thought that Barbie would be a good idea for a new toy.

BARBIE CONT.

She took it to the Toy Fair in New York City in March 1959

This first Barbie is the #1 Ponytail Barbie doll

She wore a B&W zebra stripe swimsuit and her blonde or brunette hair was tied back in a ponytail.

Click here for

more informati

on

PLAY-DOH

Originally was a wallpaper cleaner. Developed by Noah W. McVicker

and Joseph S. McVicker and introduced by Rainbow Crafts of Cincinnati in 1956.

First only available in off-white and 1.5 lb. can.

FRISBEE

Was introduced by the Frisbie Baking Company, of Bridgeport of Connecticut that made pies.

College students discovered that empty pie tins could be tossed and caught. They made this into a game during their

free time. In 1948 Walter Frederick Morrison &

Warren Franscioni invented a plastic version that could fly farther.

FRISBEE CONTINUED

Morrison made the “Pluto Platter” since UFOs were popular at that time.

In 1956 the Frisbie Baking Company shut down and Morrison was awarded a patent.

The word “frisbee” came from the baking company but made it with two ee’s to make it catchy.

MR. POTATO HEAD

Developed by George Lerner in 1949. First manufactured &distributed by

Hasbro in 1952. George came up with the idea by

inserting small body & face parts into fruit and vegetables to create a “ funny face man”.

Many parents did not like this idea because it would waste good food.

Many toy companies rejected Lerner’s creation.

MR. POTATO HEAD CONTINUED

After many years, he finally got a food company to distribute the plastic parts in cereal boxes.

Hasbro company saw that the idea was a hit and bought rights for it.

They finally sold kits for Mr. Potato Head. Mr. Potato Head was born on May 1, 1952.

Cost was $0.98 Contained: hands, feet, ears, two mouths, two

pairs of eyes, four noses, three hats, eyeglasses, a pipe, and eight felt pieces resembling facial hair.

Click here to watch commercial

HULA HOOP

Were originally made from metal, bamboo, wood, grasses, and even vines.

In 1957, Australian company began making wood rings for sale in stores. Attracted Wham-O, a toy company in

California. Manufactured in 1958.

Click here to see a timeline

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Davidson, Denise. "Barbie History." Deni's Vintage Barbie Collection. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. <http://www.dolls4play.com/barbiehistory.html>.

Waldow, Robert. "The 50 Year History of Play-Doh." Failed Success | Purveyors of Useless Knowledge. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. <http://www.failedsuccess.com/index.php?/weblog/comments/playdoh_history>.

"The History of the Frisbee." Inventors. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. <http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa980218.htm>.

"History of Mr. Potato Head - LoveToKnow Toys." Wooden Toys | Toy Stores | Best Children's Toys. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. <http://toys.lovetoknow.com/History_of_Mr._Potato_Head>.

"Hula Hoop History - Invention of the Hula Hoop." The Great Idea Finder - Celebrating the Spirit of Innovation. Web. 25 Feb. 2010. <http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/hulahoop.htm>.