Toys · 1952
The Dawn of Television-Advertised Play
In 1952, postwar prosperity transformed mid-century playrooms with plastic manufacturing and television advertising. From iconic baseball cards to interactive vegetable dolls, playthings reached American living rooms in vibrant new ways.
- Hasbro / Novelty Toy / USA
Mr. Potato Head
Debuting as the very first toy advertised on television, this kit provided plastic body parts for kids to push directly into real potatoes.
- Topps / Trading Cards / USA
1952 Topps Baseball Card Set
Sy Berger designed this landmark 407-card set featuring statistics and color portraits, anchored by the legendary Mickey Mantle card.
- Selchow & Righter / Board Game / USA
Scrabble National Craze
After Macy's president discovered the wooden tile game on vacation, Scrabble exploded into a nationwide sensation with factory backorders.
- Ideal Toy Corp / Walking Doll / USA
Ideal's Saucy Walker Doll
This innovative sixteen-inch hard plastic doll could walk alongside a child, swing her arms, move her head, and roll her eyes.
- James Industries / Pull Toy / USA
Slinky Dog
Invented by Helen Malsed and licensed to James Industries, this spring-bodied hound became a beloved twisting pull-toy for toddlers.
- PEZ / Candy Toy / Austria & USA
PEZ Dispensers (US Debut)
Arriving in America with brick-shaped pocket dispensers, the Austrian peppermint maker pivoted toward fun collectible novelties for kids.
- Louis Marx & Co. / Playset / USA
Marx Fort Apache Playset
Packed with detailed plastic frontier soldiers and wooden-style stockade walls, this classic set defined mid-century backyard play.
- Revell / Scale Model / USA
Revell Plastic Model Kits
Launching its first plastic scale model car kits, Revell kicked off a massive DIY building hobby craze among postwar youth.
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