TOYS! AMAZING STORIES BEHIND SOME GREAT INVENTIONS
"CAN YOU BELIEVE BUBBLES MADE THE TOY HALL OF FAME?"
Toy soldiers have been used by kings and czars for years; in 1962 G.I. Joe captured the toy soldier world, followed by other action figures and Star Wars characters.
"The tiny green army pieces have been around since 1938. Their popularity waned during the Vietnam War. But they became big-screen stars with the 1995 Pixar movie 'Toy Story'."
"Kids usually collect action figures for only a few months. And then along comes the next action figure who for a time, becomes the 'latest and greatest'."
These toys remain popular because they are lightweight, cheap, "But most of all because they inspire open-ended play."