Toys! at The Henry Ford

During the 1960s, toy companies increased their use of the powerful medium of television to market their products to their small customers. Television was an effective salesperson. Children begged mom and dad to buy the toys they saw advertised on TV, as well as toy versions of their favorite television characters.

Manufacturers bragged about the size of their television advertising budgets. And over fifty companies competed for the right to produce licensed television toys.

Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc.
Distributor: Knickerbocker Toy Co., Inc., New York
Date: 1962-1965
ID: 92.68.1
Gift of Ken, Tami & Charles Chaushoff

Fred Flintstone Doll
The Flintstones was a cartoon series about "modern stone-age" caveman Fred Flintstone and his family. The successful show, which aired from 1960-1966, generated a long list of Flintstone-inspired toys, including this Fred doll.

Milton Bradley Company
Springfield, MA
Date: 1965-1968
ID: 96.80.1

Man from U.N.C.L.E. Card Game
This card game was based on the popular spy-themed television show, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., which ran from 1964-1968. While playing this game, children (and adults, too!) could enjoy the exciting life of an international spy, "fighting" the bad guys alongside their television character heroes.

Colorforms
Norwood, NH
Date: 1966-1968
ID: 96.80.2

Batman Colorforms
Biff! Pow! Bam! When comic book superhero Batman came to life in a live action television series that aired from 1966-1968, the relentless crime fighter took America by storm. Fans of the campy program eagerly spent $150 million for Batman-related toys, clothing, and food products in 1966.

Mattel, Inc.
Hawthorne, CA
Date: 1961-1970
ID: 96.88.1

Beany Copter
Another popular television series was The Beany and Cecil Show, a 1962-1968 cartoon series about a young boy, Beany, and his friend, Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent. Children could imagine themselves sharing Beany and Cecil's adventures while wearing this plastic version of Beany's distinctive propeller beanie.

Ohio Art
Bryan, OH
Date: 1961
ID: 2000.93.1

Etch A Sketch
When Ohio Art introduced their new Etch A Sketch magic slate in July 1960, it was the first toy that the manufacturer promoted through television advertising. Etch A Sketch commercials helped assure the engaging toy's immediate success, as the company hustled to keep up with the demand for the product.