Toys · 1908
Edwardian Delights: The Playthings of 1908
In 1908, children's play was defined by hand-crafted craftsmanship, the booming teddy bear craze, and early mechanical innovations. From jointed wooden circus performers to early electric trains and metal construction sets, novelty and industrial design captured young imaginations.
- E.I. Horsman Co. | Novelty Doll
Billiken Doll
Patented by Florence Pretz in 1908, this smiling elf-like figure became an immediate craze as a plush-bodied charm doll brought to life by Horsman.
- Steiff | Plush Toy
Steiff Mohair Teddy Bear
German toy manufacturer Steiff produced thousands of hand-stitched mohair bears with felt paw pads and glass eyes during the peak of Edwardian teddy bear fever.
- Various Makers | Skill Toy
Diabolo Playground Craze
In 1908, the revived spinning-top skill toy swept across European and American playgrounds as children mastered balancing the hourglass spool on a string.
- Meccano Ltd. | Construction Toy
Meccano Model Construction Sets
Following its recent rebranding, Frank Hornby's system of perforated metal strips, wheels, and brass nuts let aspiring young engineers build working mechanical models.
- The Rose Company | Trading Cards
Rose Company Baseball Postcards
This famous 1908 postcard set featured embossed die-cut baseball mitts framing portraits of major league superstars like Ty Cobb and Christy Mathewson.
- A. Schoenhut Company | Wooden Figures
Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty Circus
Philadelphia maker Schoenhut expanded its popular line of poseable wooden circus figures, featuring jointed clowns, acrobats, and glass-eyed animals.
- Lionel Manufacturing Co. | Toy Trains
Lionel Electric Trains
Lionel expanded its heavy metal electric train lineup running on Standard Gauge brass tracks, bringing powered miniature railroading into family parlors.
- Parker Brothers | Board Game
The Game of Teddy Bear
Parker Brothers capitalized on national teddy bear mania with an illustrated roll-and-move board game following the adventures of Theodore Roosevelt's namesake plush.
Enjoyed your trip back in time?