National Toy Hall of Fame
The National Toy Hall of Fame is an American hall of fame that recognizes the contributions of toys and games that have sustained their popularity for many years. Criteria for induction include: icon status (the toy is widely recognized, respected, and remembered); longevity (more than a passing fad); discovery (fosters learning, creativity, or discovery); and innovation (profoundly changed play or toy design).[1] Established in 1998 under the direction of Ed Sobey, it was originally housed at A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village in Salem, Oregon, United States, but was moved to the Strong National Museum of Play (now The Strong) in Rochester, New York, in 2002 after it outgrew its original home.
Seventy-two toys have been enshrined in the National Toy Hall of Fame:
Original inductees (1998-99)
The original inductees to the National Toy Hall of Fame were announced in November 1999. Students from nearby Willamette University protested (good-naturedly) when they learned that Mr. Potato Head and Barbie's friend Ken were not included.[2] | |||
Class of 2000
This year's selections were chosen from a field of 34 nominations by a panel of educators and civic leaders that included Sharon Kitzhaber, wife of Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber.[3] Nominees rejected for the honor this year included G.I. Joe, the Nintendo Entertainment System, the soccer ball, Beanie Babies, the baseball glove and the cap gun.[3] | |||||
Class of 2001
Both children and adults created a list of 82 nominees over the past year. A national panel of distinguished educators and civic leaders choose two toys for induction this year.[4] |
Class of 2002
There were more than ninety nominees this year.[5]
|
Class of 2003
Class of 2004
|
Class of 2005
Class of 2006
This year’s nominees were: Atari Game System, Big Wheel, Easy-Bake Oven, Lite-Brite, Fisher-Price Little People, Hot Wheels, Lionel Trains, Operation Skill Game, Pez candy dispenser, rubber duck, skateboard, and Twister.[10] Only two of the twelve nominees took their place in the hall that year. |
Class of 2007
Class of 2008
The following toys were added in 2008:[14]
- The Stick: Curators praised the stick for its all-purpose, no-cost, recreational qualities, noting its ability to serve either as raw material or an appendage transformed in myriad ways by a child's creativity.
- The Baby Doll
- The Skateboard
Class of 2019
See also
- Toy Industry Hall of Fame, recognizing the contributions of toy-makers.
- List of toys and children's media awards
References
- staff (2006-11-09). "Hall of Famers: Easy-Bake, Lionel". Playthings. Archived from the original on 2007-06-19. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- Vader, J.E. (1999-11-01). "Where the Toys Are". VIA Magazine. Archived from the original on 2007-12-30. Retrieved 2008-02-14. Cite journal requires
|journal=
(help) - "New inductees to Toy Hall of Fame". Cable News Network. Associated Press. 2000-03-23. Archived from the original on March 19, 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- "Tonka to be Inducted Into National Toy Hall of Fame; Hasbro Brand Honored for its Rich Tradition of Creating Durable and Fun Vehicles". Business Wire. CNET. 2001-03-28. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- "Raggedy Ann Inducted in National Toy Hall of Fame". Raving Toy Maniac. 2002-03-27. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- "View-Master Inducted into National Toy Hall of Fame". 3-D Review Online Magazine. Archived from the original on 2008-05-10. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- "GI JOE and SCRABBLE Honored with Induction into National Toy Hall of Fame". Business Wire. 2004-11-12. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- Elliot, Debbie (2005-11-19). "An Underdog Favorite Makes Toy Hall of Fame". All Things Considered. National Public Radio. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- "Cardboard box added to Toy Hall of Fame". USA Today. Associated Press. 2005-11-12. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
- "National Toy Hall of Fame Final Nominees Announced" (Press release). Strong National Museum of Play. 2006-09-15. Archived from the original on 2007-12-11. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- Dobbin, Ben (2007-11-08). "Atari 2600, Raggedy Andy, Kite Enshrined". ABC News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 10, 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
- "Toy Hall of Fame Welcomes Atari 2600, the Kite and Raggedy Andy". Fox News. Associated Press. 2007-11-08. Archived from the original on 2008-01-12. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- "Raggedy Andy Reunited with Raggedy Ann in the National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York". Raggedy Land. Playthings. 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
- "Stick, skateboard, Baby Doll enter Toy Hall of Fame". CNN.com. Archived from the original on 2008-11-08. Retrieved 11/07/08. Check date values in:
|access-date=
(help) - "''Ball, Game Boy, Big Wheel enter toy hall of fame'', retrieved 5 Nov 2009". Rbj.net. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
- "Playing cards, the Game of Life join Toy Hall of Fame". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. Gannett Company. November 4, 2010. Archived from the original on November 4, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
- "Three toys inducted into Hall of Fame". Rochester Business Journal. Rochester, New York. November 10, 2011. Archived from the original on November 10, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- "Toy Hall of Fame avoids the Dark Side, inducts 'Star Wars' action figures". MercuryNews.com. November 15, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
- "Chess, rubber duck join Toy Hall of Fame - Rochester Business Journal New York business news and information". Archived from the original on 2015-01-09. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
- "2014 National Toy Hall of Fame Inductees Announced".
- "Three toys are new inductees to National Toy Hall of Fame - Rochester Business Journal New York business news and information". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-11-05.
- Waxman, Olivia B. "These Toys Were Just Inducted Into the National Toy Hall of Fame". Time.
- https://www.snopes.com/2017/11/09/clue-wiffle-ball-paper-airplane-toy-hall-of-fame/
- https://apnews.com/c95df0a0f8f04c50848b279e58b4866a
- "Pioneering Black doll Baby Nancy enters Toy Hall of Fame". Associated Press. November 5, 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.