Classic Toys Quiz
Instructions: Do you remember the toys of your childhood, from the Slinky and Hula Hoop to Lincoln Logs and Barbie?
- 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?
A1940sB1930sC1950sD1960s - 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?
A1959B1955C1963D1957 - 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?
AWham-OBMattelCHasbroDKenner - 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?
AJohn Lloyd WrightBFrank Lloyd WrightCCharles EamesDNorman Rockwell - 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?
ASiliconeBLatexCRubberDPlastic - 6.
Mr. Potato Head holds a special place in toy history as the first toy ever advertised on television. In what decade was Mr. Potato Head introduced?
A1950sB1940sC1960sD1970s - 7.
The Easy-Bake Oven let children bake real treats using the heat from a light bulb. Which toy company introduced the Easy-Bake Oven in 1963?
AKennerBHasbroCMattelDMilton Bradley - 8.
Etch A Sketch, the classic red drawing toy with two white knobs, was invented in France and brought to the United States. In what year did it first appear in American toy stores?
A1960B1955C1965D1958 - 9.
G.I. Joe was introduced in 1964 as a new kind of toy for boys — an action figure. Which company created G.I. Joe?
AHasbroBMattelCKennerDMarx - 10.
The Spirograph, a geometric drawing toy that creates intricate mathematical patterns, became enormously popular in the 1960s. Who invented the Spirograph?
ADenys FisherBArthur Amos NoyesCJames DysonDHarold Gray - 11.
Candy Land, the classic board game for young children with no reading required, was designed by a schoolteacher recovering from polio. In what decade was Candy Land first published?
A1940sB1930sC1950sD1960s - 12.
Tonka trucks have been beloved by children for decades. The company that made Tonka trucks took its name from a lake in Minnesota. What does 'Tonka' mean in the Dakota Sioux language?
AGreatBStrongCHeavyDIron - 13.
The View-Master, a toy that let children view 3D images on cardboard reels, was first introduced not as a children's toy but for a very different purpose. What was the View-Master's original intended use?
ATourism and scenic viewingBMilitary trainingCMedical educationDScientific research - 14.
Hot Wheels die-cast toy cars zoomed onto the scene in 1968, instantly challenging the dominance of Matchbox cars. Which company launched Hot Wheels?
AMattelBHasbroCCorgiDKenner - 15.
The Frisbee has a fun origin story — it was inspired by the tin pie plates from a Connecticut bakery that college students tossed around for fun. What was the name of that bakery?
AFrisbie Pie CompanyBMorrison BakeryCWham BakeryDYale Pie Company
Answer Key
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.
Barbie debuted on March 9, 1959, created by Ruth Handler and manufactured by Mattel. Her full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Hasbro launched G.I. Joe in 1964, coining the term 'action figure' to distinguish it from dolls. The original line featured four branches of the military and was a massive commercial success.
British engineer Denys Fisher invented the Spirograph in 1965. He originally developed the geared plastic discs while designing a new type of bomb detonator, and the toy was a hit at the 1965 Nuremberg Toy Fair.
Eleanor Abbott created Candy Land in 1948 while recovering from polio in San Diego. She shared it with Milton Bradley, who published it in 1949, and it became one of America's best-loved board games.
Tonka comes from the Dakota Sioux word meaning 'great' or 'big,' after Lake Minnetonka near where the company was founded in 1946. Tonka trucks were famously durable and were often tested by running them over with cars.
The View-Master debuted at the 1939 World's Fair as a scenic tourist souvenir, showing 3D images of famous landmarks. It was adopted by the U.S. military in WWII and only later became primarily a children's toy.
Mattel introduced Hot Wheels on May 18, 1968, designed by Elliot Handler. The cars featured low-friction wheels and bright 'Spectraflame' paint, and outsold Matchbox within their very first year.
The Frisbie Pie Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, supplied pies to Yale and other New England colleges, and students discovered the tins flew beautifully. Wham-O trademarked the name 'Frisbee' in 1957, slightly altering the spelling.