Toys · 1960
Plastics, Pull-Strings, and Playtime Marvels
The year 1960 ushered in a vibrant decade of play, characterized by innovative materials, mechanical wonders, and enduring pop-culture icons. From pull-string talking dolls to iconic red-framed drawing screens, mid-century toy shelves captured the imagination of post-war suburban youth.
- Ohio Art Company | Drawing Toy
Etch A Sketch
Invented by André Cassagnes, this iconic red aluminum-powder drawing screen became an instant holiday bestseller in 1960.
- Milton Bradley | Board Game
The Game of LIFE
Reimagined for Milton Bradley's 100th anniversary, Reuben Klamer's modern board game featured a 3D track, plastic spinner, and suburban dream aspirations.
- Mattel | Pull-String Doll
Chatty Cathy
Mattel revolutionized the doll market with a groundbreaking pull-string voice box that allowed Cathy to randomly speak eleven different phrases.
- Ideal Toy Company | Mechanical Toy
Mr. Machine
Designed by Marvin Glass, this popular transparent wind-up robot let children watch its colorful internal gears, levers, and ringing bell operate.
- Topps | Trading Cards
Topps 1960 Baseball Card Set
Featuring a distinctive horizontal design with dual photos, this classic 572-card collection highlighted stars alongside Carl Yastrzemski's rookie card.
- Dam Things | Novelty Toy
Good Luck Trolls (Dam Dolls)
Danish woodcarver Thomas Dam's quirky felt-clothed dolls with soft wool hair exploded into an international craze during 1960.
- Milton Bradley | Board Game
Lie Detector Game
Players acted as detectives using a clever mechanical card scanner to unmask guilty suspects in this tense family mystery game.
- The LEGO Group | Construction Toy
LEGO System Plastic Bricks
Following a major warehouse fire in 1960, LEGO permanently discontinued wooden toys to dedicate all production to their plastic interlocking brick system.
Enjoyed your trip back in time?