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- Toy, Lucky Sprite, 1984-1986 - In the 1980s, toy companies began producing commercial television programs to market dolls and other toys to children. Hallmark sponsored the Rainbow Brite series which debuted in 1984. The company sold a colorful range of program-based plush toys, such as this green furry Sprite named Lucky. Sprites mine color crystals and help Rainbow Brite return color to her world.
- 1984-1986
- Collections - Artifact
Toy, Lucky Sprite, 1984-1986
In the 1980s, toy companies began producing commercial television programs to market dolls and other toys to children. Hallmark sponsored the Rainbow Brite series which debuted in 1984. The company sold a colorful range of program-based plush toys, such as this green furry Sprite named Lucky. Sprites mine color crystals and help Rainbow Brite return color to her world.
- Barbie Doll, 1960-1961 - Mattel's Barbie doll, introduced in 1959, was a teenage fashion model with an enviable lifestyle of teenage freedom, representing a radical break from the baby and companion dolls that had dominated doll play since the early 1900s. Sophisticated and stylish, this teenager had no visible ties to parents or domesticity, offering fantasy play of an endless round of enjoyable, grown-up activities.
- 1960-1961
- Collections - Artifact
Barbie Doll, 1960-1961
Mattel's Barbie doll, introduced in 1959, was a teenage fashion model with an enviable lifestyle of teenage freedom, representing a radical break from the baby and companion dolls that had dominated doll play since the early 1900s. Sophisticated and stylish, this teenager had no visible ties to parents or domesticity, offering fantasy play of an endless round of enjoyable, grown-up activities.
- Barbie Doll Dressed in "Busy Girl" Outfit, 1960-1961 - Mattel's Ruth Handler noticed that her daughter Barbara preferred to play make-believe with paper dolls of adult women, rather than baby dolls. Inspired, Ruth created Barbie--named after her daughter--in 1959. A fashion model doll with a great wardrobe and interesting accessories, Barbie let young girls imagine a future of teenage freedom. Barbie's cultural impact was huge--sales of baby dolls declined. By 1965, Mattel was a Fortune 500 company.
- 1960-1961
- Collections - Artifact
Barbie Doll Dressed in "Busy Girl" Outfit, 1960-1961
Mattel's Ruth Handler noticed that her daughter Barbara preferred to play make-believe with paper dolls of adult women, rather than baby dolls. Inspired, Ruth created Barbie--named after her daughter--in 1959. A fashion model doll with a great wardrobe and interesting accessories, Barbie let young girls imagine a future of teenage freedom. Barbie's cultural impact was huge--sales of baby dolls declined. By 1965, Mattel was a Fortune 500 company.
- Barbie's Dream House, 1962 - By the early 1960s, Barbie dolls could have play environments, including this Barbie Dream House. Introduced in 1962, the Barbie Dream House was filled with sleek, modern furniture that included a combination television/stereo console. While relaxing in her very own "space," Barbie could watch herself on television or listen to albums by Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, or the Lettermen.
- 1962
- Collections - Artifact
Barbie's Dream House, 1962
By the early 1960s, Barbie dolls could have play environments, including this Barbie Dream House. Introduced in 1962, the Barbie Dream House was filled with sleek, modern furniture that included a combination television/stereo console. While relaxing in her very own "space," Barbie could watch herself on television or listen to albums by Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, or the Lettermen.
- Mattel "Football" Pocket Electronic Game Packaging, 1978 - <body><i>Football</i>, produced by Mattel in 1977, was one of the first handheld video games. It was a simulation of American football with red LED lights representing player positions. To play <i>Football</i>, gamers used arrows to direct their light across the football field screen, evade opponents, and score field goals and touchdowns. </body>
- 1978
- Collections - Artifact
Mattel "Football" Pocket Electronic Game Packaging, 1978
Football, produced by Mattel in 1977, was one of the first handheld video games. It was a simulation of American football with red LED lights representing player positions. To play Football, gamers used arrows to direct their light across the football field screen, evade opponents, and score field goals and touchdowns. - Hot Wheels Dragster, 1975-1980 - Mattel introduced its Hot Wheels line of diecast cars in 1968. Race cars were a source of design inspiration for these toys from the start. This Hot Wheels car was based on a drag racer from NHRA's Top Fuel competition class. "Top Fuel" refers to the special nitromethane fuel used by these dragsters.
- 1975-1980
- Collections - Artifact
Hot Wheels Dragster, 1975-1980
Mattel introduced its Hot Wheels line of diecast cars in 1968. Race cars were a source of design inspiration for these toys from the start. This Hot Wheels car was based on a drag racer from NHRA's Top Fuel competition class. "Top Fuel" refers to the special nitromethane fuel used by these dragsters.
- Hot Wheels Race Car, 1974-1980 - Mattel introduced its Hot Wheels line of diecast cars in 1968. Race cars were a source of design inspiration for these toys from the start. This Hot Wheels toy was based on Ford Torino cars that competed in NASCAR and other stock car racing series in the mid-1970s.
- 1974-1980
- Collections - Artifact
Hot Wheels Race Car, 1974-1980
Mattel introduced its Hot Wheels line of diecast cars in 1968. Race cars were a source of design inspiration for these toys from the start. This Hot Wheels toy was based on Ford Torino cars that competed in NASCAR and other stock car racing series in the mid-1970s.
- "Barbie's Friend Ship" Airplane, 1971-1974 - Since the early 1960s, Mattel has offered a variety of appealing play environments for their popular Barbie doll. Among these have been stylish houses, swimming pools, and even camping accessories for "roughing it." This Friend Ship offered Barbie the opportunity to experience life as stewardess aboard this well accessorized airplane.
- 1972-1974
- Collections - Artifact
"Barbie's Friend Ship" Airplane, 1971-1974
Since the early 1960s, Mattel has offered a variety of appealing play environments for their popular Barbie doll. Among these have been stylish houses, swimming pools, and even camping accessories for "roughing it." This Friend Ship offered Barbie the opportunity to experience life as stewardess aboard this well accessorized airplane.
- Ken Doll in "Dream Boat" Outfit, circa 1961 -
- circa 1961
- Collections - Artifact
Ken Doll in "Dream Boat" Outfit, circa 1961
- Beany and Cecil Official Beany-Copter, 1961-1970 - A popular television cartoon series in the 1960s was <EM>The Beany and Cecil Show</EM>, airing from 1962-1968, about a young boy, Beany, and his friend, Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent. Children could imagine themselves sharing Beany and Cecil's adventures while wearing this plastic version of Beany's distinctive propeller beanie.
- 1961-1970
- Collections - Artifact
Beany and Cecil Official Beany-Copter, 1961-1970
A popular television cartoon series in the 1960s was The Beany and Cecil Show, airing from 1962-1968, about a young boy, Beany, and his friend, Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent. Children could imagine themselves sharing Beany and Cecil's adventures while wearing this plastic version of Beany's distinctive propeller beanie.