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The best selling toys of the last 50 years

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Category: Books, toy and games
Published on Monday, 31 October 2011 07:45
Hits: 4038

Remember Eagle-Eyed Action Man? And the Space Hopper? Ah, for the toys of yesteryear, before kids clamoured for the latest flashy computer game or all-singing, all-dancing robot.

 

To show you just how much toys have changed over the last 50 years, here’s a guide to the bestsellers of each decade.

1960s

Toys got safer in the 60s, as strict guidelines restricted the use of celluloid, banned sharp edges and toxic dyes. And plastic was king, giving rise to a whole new range of toys, including the iconic Barbie doll, launched by Mattel at the New York toy fair wearing a black-and-white bathing suit.

Other big hits included:

1970s

This decade saw a global backlash against conflicts like the Vietnam War, so toy weapons stopped being produced. This led to more innovation by manufacturers – for example, Action Man became more of an adventurer and less of a military character, as well as getting nifty eagle eyes. And Danish toy Lego became hugely popular.

Other bestsellers included:

1980s

Although the 80s saw developments like child-sized domestic appliances and the first plastic lunchbox, video and computer technology dominated every child’s leisure time. Games like Atari’s Space Invaders could now be played on handheld consoles, while interactive speak and spell toys made learning fun. These included Alphie, the Electronic Robot, and Vtech computers for pre-school kids.

Other hits included:

1990s

In the 90s, ethical, environmental and ecological concerns began to be taken seriously, as did toy safety. At the same time, the sale of CDs, computers and computer games rocketed – by the end of the decade over half the toys sold were video games. Nintendo’s Game Boy was a massive seller, as were cyberpets like Tamagotchi.

Other bestsellers included:

2000s

Today’s kids are lucky enough to be able to choose from traditional teddy bears, games, trains, prams, building kits and rocking horses, plus a wealth of newfangled recreational and educational toys. Video games continue to dominate, with high-powered new consoles like the Wii, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 bringing previously undreamt-of control and realism to gaming. Handheld consoles like the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS mean kids need never be without their games fix, while iPods and mobile phones are de rigueur for kids from eight and up.

Other hits include: 

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