Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Years of fun & games
Toy giant Fisher-price still a player
FOR 90 years Fisher-price toys have been keeping kids entertained across the globe.
Herman Fisher thought the world needed better toys that “appeal to the imagination, that do something new and surprising and funny”.
He joined forces with Irving Price and Helen Schelle to create toys that would go on to enchant generations.
From the famous Xylophone and Rock-a-stack, to the Activity Centre and record player, the US company has invented some of the world’s most memorable playthings. Toy expert Peter Jenkinson says: “From baby boomers to Gen X and Y I think we’ve all had a Fisherprice toy foisted on us at an early age.
“Their Play Lab has played a fundamental part in their success, closely watching kids interacting with toys and each other and fine-tuning toys along the way.”
As the firm celebrates its 90th birthday today, we take a trip down memory lane to look at how its toys have captured the imaginations, and hearts, of millions of children.
Rock n Roll
The Rock-a-stack was introduced in 1960 - brightly coloured rings that teach kids how to stack in order of sizes. More than 52 million of them have been sold and the 2020 version will be 100% recyclable and made from sugar cane.
Thank You Heroes
During the pandemic, Fisher-price’s design teams have been deployed to make face masks. The firm released a line of collectible action figures and Little People Community Champions called “Thank You Heroes”. Profits go to first responders.