This week I stumbled upon the website for the Strong National Toy Hall of Fame is housed at the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. The Hall seeks to honor iconic toys that are widely respected and remembered that foster creativity and discovery. Each inductee must satisfy four criteria: icon-status, longevity, discovery and innovation.
42 toys have been inducted into the hall and includes name-brand toys Silly Putty, GI Joe, Lego and the Duncan Yo-Yo to the simplest playthings like the cardboard box and stick. A visit to the actual Toy Hall of Fame is a little out of the question for me, but it was fascinating to “walk through” the complete list of inducted toys. The website for the Toy Hall of Fame has a description about each inductee, which is a great way to brush up on your toy trivia. Here are a few fun tidbits I picked up:
- Lincoln Logs were invented by John Lloyd Wright, son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, while conceptualizing an earthquake-proof structure.
- The Frisbee was originally marketed as The Flying Saucer and the Pluto Platter to feed into interest of UFOs. The patent was purchased by Wham-o, the marketers of the Hula Hoop and reverted to the name college students called the original pie pans they tossed around.
- Silly Putty was created as a synthetic substitute for rubber during World War II. Though worthless for war uses, the amusing material entertained party guests and became a popular Easter gift after a New Yorker article.
- Eleanor Abbott invented Candy Land after she was afflicted with Polio in order to entertain bedridden children recuperating from the disease.
- Play-Doh was originally designed as a wallpaper cleaner
2009 inductees will be announced later this year, but you can click here to nominate your favorite toy from your childhood.
