Top 10 Children’s Toys 1990-2000:[1]
1. Pogs – Originating in Hawai’i in the 1920s it didn’t make its way to the North America until the late ‘80s/early ‘90s. They consist of small cardboard discs with printing, artwork or pictures on one side with a larger, heavier disc called a slammer to play the game. Each player drops the same amount of pogs into a stack and uses the slammer to knock as many pogs off as they can. The one with the most pogs was the winner.
2. Tickle Me Elmo – In 1996, it was Rosie O’ Donnell’s show who propelled this toy to famedom. Tyco Toys gave her 200 of these and Rosie used the toy as a gag throwing one of them to the audience every time a guest used the word of the day. This created such frenzy that children and parents began to demand one quickly outnumbering the supply. People were going on EBay and charging exorbitant amounts of money and people actually paid thousands for one.
3. Furby – Created by David Hampton and Caleb Chung, the talking doll hit the markets in 1998. These toys could be taught words and phrases, were required to be fed and slept regularly. They originally sold for $35 but demand for them drove the price up as high as $100.
4. Super Soaker – Originally created in 1982, engineer and creator Lonnie Johnson experienced a series of setbacks before perfecting his model. It hit the shelves in 1990.
5. Beanie Babies – Invented by Ty Warner in 1993, what put these toys on the map is his idea in 1996 to retire the first eleven babies. They instantly became a collector’s item.
6. Game Boy – This game first came out in Japan in 1989 but it didn’t hit American markets until 1991. It holds the award for being the most successful video game system in history. Since its debut, it has grown with advanced models coming out in 2001 and 2003.
7. Buzz Lightyear – Here’s another story similar to what happened to George Lucas with Star Wars. No major toy company believed that the toys in Toy Story would sell as actual toys for children. But soon, they were proven wrong and the small toy company, Thinkway Toys, couldn’t keep up with the demand. The most popular action figure was Buzz Lightyear.
8. Power Rangers – The 1975 Japanese TV show Dinosaur Task Force Zyuranger eventually became The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in 1993 (in Japan). When its popularity began to fade, Saban Entertainment decided to alter its marketing strategy and sell the show with toys. The new Power Rangers with action figures emerged in 1996.
9. Tamagotchi – Aki Marita created this virtual pet that she could have as a companion. This toy created an entirely new toy category.
10. Pokemon – This was originally a game for Game Boy in 1998 although Nintendo released it in Japan in 1996. As a result of its success, a TV series and trading cards were created and when released in the US, it was paired with an animated TV series. In 1999, a movie was released.
This is really fantastic post as well as your all all toys images. I love your gorgeous images and just ordered Tamagotchi virtual pet Version 2 red color at PIJ, I am excited. Hope this will get in a week.
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Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I had a lot of fun putting it all together.
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