Classic Toys Quiz

About Classic Toys Quiz

Give your memory a workout with Classic Toys Quiz: 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 6 easy, 6 medium, 3 hard questions, free to play right in your browser. Do you remember the toys of your childhood, from the Slinky and Hula Hoop to Lincoln Logs and Barbie? Expect to spend about 7 minutes; every question comes with an explanation, so you learn something even when you miss.

A few sample questions

1. 1. The Slinky was invented by Richard James, a naval engineer, while he was working on springs for ship instruments. What decade did this beloved toy first appear in stores?

   Answer: 1940s

   The Slinky debuted at Gimbels department store in Philadelphia in 1945, and 400 units sold in just 90 minutes. It became one of the best-selling toys in history.

2. 2. Barbie, the iconic fashion doll, was introduced to the world at the American International Toy Fair. In what year did Barbie first go on sale?

   Answer: 1959

   Barbie debuted on March 9, 1959, created by Ruth Handler and manufactured by Mattel. Her full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.

3. 3. The Hula Hoop became a nationwide craze in 1958 when Wham-O sold 25 million of them in just four months. Which company manufactured and marketed the Hula Hoop?

   Answer: Wham-O

   Wham-O, the same company that made the Frisbee, launched the plastic Hula Hoop in 1958. The craze was so intense that some cities briefly banned them for causing traffic jams.

4. 4. Lincoln Logs, the beloved set of notched wooden logs for building miniature cabins, were invented by a famous architect's son. Who was Lincoln Logs' famous inventor?

   Answer: John Lloyd Wright

   John Lloyd Wright, son of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, invented Lincoln Logs around 1916. He was inspired by the interlocking log foundation his father used for the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.

5. 5. Silly Putty was discovered by accident during World War II when scientists were searching for a substitute for rubber. What substance is Silly Putty primarily made from?

   Answer: Silicone

   Silly Putty is a silicone-based polymer that bounces, stretches, and can copy newsprint. It was marketed as a toy starting in 1950 after Ruth Fallgatter and Peter Hodgson saw its playful potential.

Things you'll learn along the way

• ✓Mr. Potato Head was introduced by Hasbro in 1952 and became the first toy advertised on American television. Originally it came only with the plastic parts — children had to supply their own real potato.
• ✓Kenner Products introduced the Easy-Bake Oven in 1963, and it sold 500,000 units in its first year. The original model used two 100-watt incandescent light bulbs to cook small cakes and cookies.
• ✓The Etch A Sketch arrived in U.S. stores on July 12, 1960, manufactured by the Ohio Art Company. It was invented by French electrician Andre Cassagnes and originally called L'Ecran Magique (The Magic Screen).