Christmas is almost here and it’s time to start shopping for your kid’s toys. Here are some fun facts about popular Christmas toys from the past:
- Lionel introduced their first electric train set in 1900. They were originally to be used only as a storefront display. But, the demand was so high that they started selling them to the public.
- Tinkertoys were invented in 1914. They were an instant hit and over one million sets were sold in the first year.
- The Radio Flyer wagon was born in 1917. Their 100th Anniversary editions are now on sale!
- Lego began producing plastic building blocks in 1947. As of 2011, Lego has produced enough bricks so that there are 52 bricks for each person on the entire planet.
- Play-Doe was introduced for sale at Macy’s and Marshall Fields department stores, in 1956. Sales reached nearly 3 million in 1958.
- The Barbie Doll was introduced in 1959. Over a billion of them have since been sold worldwide.
- G.I. Joe was introduced in 1963. It has been called the most popular boys’ toy of the 20th century.
- The Hot Wheels racecar set was introduced in 1968. Today, some collectors are paying more than six figures for these cars!
- The Rubik’s Cube was a big hit in 1979.
- Cabbage Patch Kids were must have Christmas gifts in the 1980’s.
- Nintendo took the world by storm when it was released in 1988.
- Beanie Babies became an obsession in the 1990’s.
- Razor scooters were the hottest toy in 2,000 and over one million were sold that year.
- Hatchimals were the hottest toy in 2016.
