Hobbies And Interests
Hula Hoops
Hula Hoops are one toy that has appealed to children from different generations. Kids from the Cold War-era were the first to experience the fad of the Hula Hoop. Children who live in modern times still find them enthralling even though they have more advanced toys in the form of video games and electronics. Hula Hoops were invented by Arthur "Spud" Melin and Richard Knerr in 1958 and it was inspired by Australian students who twirled bamboo rings around their waste as a form of exercise. When Wham-O first introduced Hula Hoops to the public they sold over 25 million units and they accomplished this feat within the first four months of its releases.
Barbie
Barbie was created in the 1950s by Ruth Handler, who was the co-founder of the Mattel toy company with her husband Elliot. Mattel was about to go under financially until Ruth was inspired by a German doll named Lili that was considered too "mature" for little children. Instead of using Lili's overt sexuality as the basis for the Barbie doll, Ruth and Elliot decided to make their version children-friendlier. They made Barbie older, gave her Lili's body and dressed her up in conservative clothing. The Handler's then sold their first Barbie at a New York Toy fair in 1959. Since then Barbie dolls have become such a standard in the culture for toys that many young American girls have owned at least one during their childhood.
Crayola Crayons
Crayons help children to express their imaginations, desires and emotions. Infant, toddler and school-aged children also use crayons to draw their ideas and to define their world, on paper. Crayola introduced crayons into American society in 1903 but it wasn't until 1958 that crayons made a big impact on society. Before 1958, Crayola Crayons were sold in boxes of 48 but once 1958 arrived they were sold in boxes of 64. Sixteen extra colors were added to the box and they became the standard until 1993 when the Big 120 box was introduced to the public. Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith created the Crayola Crayon brand and the name Crayola was created by Edwin's wife Alice, who named the product after two French words that meant "oily chalk."
LEGO
Lincoln Logs were first sold in 1924 and wooden blocks have entertained children for many years. Both styles of toy blocks helped children to build whatever type of structure that their minds could conceive. LEGO building blocks were added the toy block category and they eventually became a standard for American children. LEGOs were invented by Ole Kirk Christiansen in 1934 and they made their way to the United States in 1955. Christiansen used the Danish words "Leg Godt" to name the LEGO brand and it means to "play well." LEGOs are sold in the U.S. and other parts of the world and they have always been a popular toy that has fascinated millions of young people all throughout the world.