Happy Birthday to a Few Toy Industry Classics
The Toy Industry Association joins with kids of all ages to pay
tribute to toys, games, dolls and plush classics; brands and companies;
movies, books and television shows; iconic characters and other
industry-notables that have celebrated a significant anniversary in the
past year.
Second Annual “Birthday
Bids” Auction to Benefit Toy Industry
Foundation
The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) kicked off
its second annual “Birthday
Bids” online charity auction today (September 23)
at 3:00 pm (Eastern). Commemorating the anniversaries of several beloved
classic toys and games, the seven-day fundraising effort provides
collectors and kids of all ages with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to
own exclusive limited edition products – including two Star Wars
collectors’ items signed by George Lucas – while also
helping children who are at-risk, abused, abandoned, ill, or otherwise
in need.
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A special Anniversary Slideshow, launched today in conjunction
with the Toy Industry Foundation’s “Birthday Bids” online charity
auction, provides the inspiration for a walk down memory lane and an
opportunity to reminisce about childhood favorites such as:
- BINGO
Dating all the way back to 1530 when a game with similar features called
“Lo Giuoco Code Loto” was played in Italy, bingo travelled
across the Alps into France, took hold in other European countries like
Germany and eventually made its way to the United States. In New York, a
travelling toy salesman by the name of Edwin S. Lowe realized the
game’s potential and marketed it. Modern bingo was
introduced in 1934.
- Raggedy Ann™ and Andy
Raggedy Ann and
her equally spirited rag brother Andy are the known and adored
worldwide. The characters were created in 1915 as a doll and introduced
to the public in the 1918 book Raggedy Ann Stories by their creator,
cartoonist-illustrator-author Johnny Gruelle.
- MONOPOLY
In 1935, Parker Brothers began
selling the MONOPOLY property trading game, which would quickly become a
cultural phenomenon. Seventy-five years later, more than 1 billion
people in 111 countries have played the game designed by Charles Darrow
and based on the streets of Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- Etch A Sketch
It all began in 1908 when Henry
Simon Winzeler started the Ohio Art Company and began producing metal
picture frames and other novelty items to be sold to leading retail
stores across the nation. Partnering with a Frenchman to who had
stumbled upon the idea of producing a drawing tool using a joystick,
glass and aluminum powder, the company rolled the first Etch A Sketch
off the factory line on July 12, 1960.
- Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake is a
licensed character owned by American Greetings, originally used in
greeting cards and expanded to include dolls, posters, and other
products; the properties also include a toy line of the character's
friends and pets. Since her creation, Strawberry Shortcake has
spent the past 30 years teaching wholesome values, going on fantasy
adventures and proving that little girls can do big things.
For a more robust list of 2010 anniversaries, please view the slideshow.
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