08.06.2010
Because I’m an historian, I find the following information fascinating. I also know that I’m probably the only one, so no offense if you gloss over today’s posting or don’t read it at all.Top 10 Children’s Toys 1900-1920:[1]
1. Teddy Bears – named, of course, after my favorite president, Theodore Roosevelt after an incident he had with a bear (he actually hated being called “Teddy”). 
2. Erector Set – (not what you think) Created in 1908, it’s a construction kit that kids can build and add on to. It’s widely used and very popular still today.
3. Lionel Trains – This is the same train we still see today that goes around a Christmas tree. It was developed in 1901. 
4. Lincoln Logs – Introduced in 1916; I remember playing with them myself in Kindergarten. They were also the first toy to ever be promoted on TV (1953). 
5. Raggedy Ann – I never had one but I certainly remember them. 
6. Radio Flyer Wagon – Created in 1917 with the onset of the radio; we see these wagons all over the place today. 
7. Tinker Toys – Developed in 1914 but they didn’t take off until Christmas of that year when the creator hired little people to dress up as elves and play with them. Within a year, he sold millions.
8. Crayons – Debuted in 1908 with a box of eight colors. Awesome! (We all know what crayons look like, so I found a picture with crayons with funny names. Look closely.)
9. Tin Toys – These toys were around in Germany for years but it wasn’t until the turn of the 20th Century did they make their way to the States. 
10. Tiddlywinks – Apparently this has become a professional sport today. It involves small discs, called winks, that lay on a flat surface and players use a large disc to pop the winks into the air.
Top image, an older looking set and below, a more modern set.
Tomorrow, the next decade.
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