Top Ten Toys of Yesterday: The 1950s

Toy inventors of the fifties have many lessons to teach in creativity, marketing and perseverance. The toys they created are world famous still today.

Top Ten Toys of Yesterday: 1950s:

1. Barbie

The world's most famous doll made her debut in 1959 at the American Toy Fair in New York City. Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, invented Barbie, said to have been named after her daughter. Barbie was an instant hit, changing the focus of Mattel from photo frames to toy making.

Over the years, Barbie has held hundreds of jobs, over gone dozens of make-overs, experienced Countries and cultures around the globe and made several friends along the way.

2. Play-Doh

Noah and Joseph McVicker created a non-toxic reusable wallpaper cleaner in 1955. That same year, a relative and school teacher asked about a safe modeling clay substitute. Joseph sent her a sample of the clay wallpaper cleaner he co-invented. The kids loved it. The next year, the brothers created Rainbow Crafts Company to manufacture the product. They named it Play-Doh. Due to the instant success of the clay, the Fun Factory accessory playset was introduced in 1960.

Initially offered only in white, today Play-Doh is sold in a vast array of colors and it is still a favorite non-toxic arts and crafts toy for young children.

3. Frisbee