Every Year’s Most Popular Toy Since 1969 Explained | Each and Every | WIRED

Chris Bensch, chief curator at the Strong Museum of Play, delves into the backstories of each and every über-popular toy released over the last 50 years. In 1977 Star Wars action figures hit the market and revolutionized the toy industry. 1979's Atari 2600 popularized home video game consoles and 1995's Beanie Babies started one of the biggest collecting phenomenons we'd ever seen.



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Every Year’s Most Popular Toy Since 1969 Explained | Each and Every | WIRED

[howveyouben]

Chris here totally looks like he loves every single day of his job and I love people as passionate as him.

[cassandratemple]

Lol I didn't think "slutification" was a word I'd hear said by this nice toy man.

[crazyeeveelady]

The way he holds each toy like it's a precious artifact makes me smile

[shaemartin]

This is the only time I have ever heard the Wii U being called successful.

[dimitreze]

"kids today are the most stupid kids ever"
1975's kids buying pet rocks: hold my coke

[thefile]

first time i've heard someone describe the wii u as a "success"

[lionellines]

Just in case, here’s a quick guide to every toy in the video by year, plus a link to click to skip right to each one.

1969: Snoopy Astronaut - 0:23
1970: Nerf Ball - 0:49
1971: Weebles - 1:35
1972: Uno - 2:18
1973: Skateboards - 2:57
1974: Dungeons & Dragons - 4:08
1975: Pet Rock - 5:13
1976: The Bionic Woman & Cher - 5:59
1977: Star Wars Action Figures - 6:59
1978: Simon - 8:01
1979: Atari - 8:38
1980: Rubik’s Cube - 9:24
1981: He-Man - 10:23
1982: Care Bears & My Little Pony - 11:20
1983: Cabbage Patch Kids - 13:03
1984: Trivial Pursuit - 14:44
1985: Teddy Ruxpin - 15:20
1986: Lazer Tag - 16:12
1987: Jenga - 17:07
1988: Nintendo Entertainment System - 17:54
1989: Nintendo Game Boy - 18:26
1990: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - 19:28
1991: Super Soaker - 20:15
1992: Super NES - 20:51
1993: Barney - 21:34
1994: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers - 22:17
1995: Beanie Babies - 22:50
1996: Tickle Me Elmo - 23:34
1997: Tamagotchi - 24:44
1998: Furby - 25:37
1999: Pokémon Cards - 26:19
2000: Razor Scooter - 26:51
2001: Bratz Dolls - 27:29
2002: Beyblade - 28:25
2003: Robosapien - 29:09
2004: Puppy Surprise - 29:38
2005: Webkinz - 30:00
2006: Nintendo Wii - 30:45
2007: iPod Touch - 31:29
2008: Littlest Pet Shop - 32:04
2009: ZhuZhu Pets - 32:40
2010: Monster High Dolls - 33:22
2011: Skylanders - 34:08
2012: Nintendo Wii U - 34:38
2013: Tekno - 35:12
2014: Rainbow Loom - 35:36
2015: BB-8 - 36:39
2016: Hatchimals - 37:38
2017: L.O.L. Surprise! - 38:22
2018: Fingerlings - 38:55

I hope this helps! Enjoy the video!

[Oilerpa]

He should be hired by Netflix’s “The Toys That Made Us”

[CutieMiyukiChan]

i want this man to have his own series

[eubie]

this guys needs to be protected at all costs


but i'm surprised fidget spinners weren't on here!

[craftmaster]

The razor scooter could be also used as a weapon...


RIP my ankles 😣

[bionic_jaden]

Kinda disappointed that he didn’t mention the Transformers 😔

[juno]

i would be so proud of myself for selling pet rocks 😂

[milkycash]

Every Year’s Most Popular Toy
Lego: Am I a joke to you ?

[maureenseel]

Interesting that American Girl doll is in the background but never discussed.

[fageskata]

This presenter has an almost Mr. Rogers feeling...a kid at heart for life. Good for him to not be one of the disenchanted depressed people making up today's oi polloi

[GeorgesDegoumois]

I don't know what to do with this information

[andreigeeab]

R.I.P to all the tamaghochi's that died since `97

[JM-corf]

wasn't expecting him to say the word "SLUTIFICATION"

[jellyjamm]

“1975... the pet rock”

Oh... the 70s