Toys · 1921
Playtime and Crazes in the Roaring Twenties
In 1921, post-war optimism fueled a golden age of play, characterized by burgeoning fad crazes and timeless mechanical toys. From imported parlor games to sturdy steel construction sets, children and adults alike embraced new forms of recreation.
- Plush Toy | J.K. Farnell / Harrods
Farnell Teddy Bear (Winnie-the-Pooh)
Purchased at Harrods for Christopher Robin Milne's first birthday in 1921, this classic plush bear became the real-world inspiration for A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh.
- Outdoor Novelty | George B. Hansburg
Hansburg Pogo Stick
Patented in the United States in 1921, this wooden jumping toy sparked a nationwide craze as children and performers hopped along city sidewalks.
- Parlor Game | J.P. Babcock
Babcock's Mah-Jongg Set
Imported from China with simplified English rules, Mah-Jongg erupted into a massive game phenomenon among American households starting in 1921.
- Trading Cards | Exhibit Supply Co.
1921 Exhibit Baseball Cards
Dispensed from arcade vending machines for a penny, this inaugural postcard-sized set featured black-and-white portraits of baseball legends like Babe Ruth.
- Construction Toy | Red Square Toy Co.
Lincoln Logs
Designed by John Lloyd Wright, these interlocking notched-timber sets allowed children to build miniature frontier cabins and pioneer forts.
- Construction Set | A.C. Gilbert Co.
A.C. Gilbert Erector Set
Featuring steel girders, gears, and small electric motors, these educational engineering sets captivated young builders across North America.
- Plush Doll | P.F. Volland Company
Raggedy Andy Doll
Created as the companion brother to Raggedy Ann, this cloth doll featuring yarn hair and a sailor outfit became an instant nursery staple upon its release.
- Model Train | Lionel Corporation
Lionel Standard Gauge Trains
Crafted from brightly painted tinplate steel, these heavy-duty electric toy locomotives glided around parlor floor tracks during the 1921 holiday season.
Enjoyed your trip back in time?