Top 10 Children’s Toys 1980-1990:[1]
1. Cabbage Patch Kids – These dolls hit the shelves in 1983 and even though 3 million of them were made, they sold out. Originally created by Xavier Roberts in 1977 who designed them to put himself through college. In 1982, Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc. produced the dolls for a wider market and the following year they made their debut.
2. Trivial Pursuit – Canadians Chris Haney and Scott Abbott developed this game over a conversation they were having about some missing pieces to their Scrabble game. Soon partnering with two friends, it took several years before it took off. In 1983, licensing was given to the US manufacturer, Selchow and Righter, who successfully marketed the game.
3. My Little Pony – Invented by Bonnie Zacherle, Charles Muenchinger and Steven D’Aguanno it was produced by Hasbro and debuted in 1982.
4. Koosh Balls – I totally remember these. Ha! Born from an idea that engineer, Scott Stillinger, had by tying rubber bands together to make a ball, the Koosh Ball is made from approximately two thousand rubber filaments tied around the core. Its name comes from the sound the ball makes when it lands.
5. Transformers – Although I remember these, ask any boy who grew up in the ‘80s if he had one and he’ll give you a “Hells yeah” look. Hasbro released these toys in 1984 with a story line coupled with a television series, a movie and comic books. Cross promotion at its best!
6. Pictionary –Another huge hit for Hasbro released in 1987. It was so popular that a TV game show was developed in the ‘90s based on it.
7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Boy I found these annoying. But I’m a girl. Back in 1983, friends Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird were goofing off with cartoon sketches when Kevin drew a turtle with nunchuks strapped to his arm. Peter then said, “Why not a teenage mutant ninja turtle?” They both liked the idea so much they developed a comic book that they self-published. As a joke, they took out an ad in the Comics Buyer’s Guide and were surprised when distributors made serious bids and calls. They called themselves Mirage Studios and sent a press kit to the Associated Press. The attention skyrocketed their popularity and three thousand issues of their comic sold out fast. They were connected to Playmate Toys who agreed to distribute action figures only if a TV deal was secured. In 1987, a mini-series was created and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had become an empire.
8. Chia Pet – I can still see the commercial. Animal figures that grow “fur” originally come from the south of the border but Joseph Enterprises Inc. trademarked the name and marketed them. The first Chia Pet was a ram and came out in 1982.
9. JENGA – Brought to the US by Milton Bradley, the word is Swahili for “to build.” Leslie Scott, an Oxford University student, developed the game in the early ‘70s but it wasn’t until the mid-late ‘70s that her friends convinced her to sell it. American Robert Grebler imported the game to the US and Canada and in 1985, creating a JENGA fund-raising tournament for the Heart Foundation, it came to the attention of Milton Bradley who bought the rights.
10. All Terrain Armored Transport (Star Wars Walker) – This is considered to be the most expensive toy ever in 1980. It is a fictional vehicle that made its debut in Empire Strikes Back.
No comments:
Post a Comment