Toys Over the Years

  • Jigsaw Puzzle

    John Spilsbury created the jigsaw puzzle
  • Jacks

    Historical Background: Jacks, in its original form, was played in ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. This game was also known as Jackstones, Five Stones, Knucklebones, and other names. Knucklebones eventually led to the game of dice (which was mostly played by boys) and to the game of jacks (which was mostly played by girls). Jacks is a game of skill, as are earlier games that involve throwing the jacks into the air and catching them, or bouncing a ball and picking up a certain number of jacks fro
  • Checkers

    Checkers go back to 3000 BC, butthe first world champion was awarded in 1847.
  • Chess

    The first modern chess tournament was held in London in 1851
  • Spinning Top

    Spinning tops have been around so long that no one knows who spun the first one. It is likely that the first spinning top was a nut or acorn spun by a curious child. It seems likely that natural curiosity began the craft of top spinning in various places around the world.
  • Crayons

    Binney & Smith created crayons; Since its inception in 1903, the Crayola brand has grown into one of the most respected and recognizable brands in the consumer marketplace.
  • Yo-Yo

    Donald Duncan invented he Yo-Yo; The yo-yo has enjoyed many periods of popularity throughout world history and may be the second oldest toy in the world (after dolls).
  • Monopoly

    Charles darrow created Monopoly; Monopoly was first marketed on a broad scale by Parker Brothers on November 5, 1935..Today, an estimated 500 million players from around the globe have been mesmerized by the MONOPOLY® game since its creation by Charles B. Darrow.
  • Paddleball

    The beginning of ONE WALL PADDLEBALL started in up state New York by a handball player name Mr. Beale. The winter of 1940 was brutally cold and Mr. Beale's hands became too brittle & painful too continue playing handball. Mr. Beale substituted a Wooden Paddle with no holes and a taped handle to start the game of ONE WALL PADDLEBALL.
  • Scrabble

    Alfred Butts invented Scrabble; What has 100 tiles...225 squares...a multi-colored board...and millions of fans of all ages, backgrounds and locales?
  • Hula Hoop

    In 1957, an Australian company began making wood rings for sale in retail stores. The item attracted the attention of Wham-0, a fledgling California toy manufacturer. The next year Richard P. Knerr and Arthur K. Melin, of Wham-O, manufactured a plastic hoop in a variety of bright colors. The Hula-Hoop was an instant success.
  • Video Game

    Willy Higinbotham, invented the world's first video game to entertain visitors to the Brookhaven National Laboratory. Tennis for Two Video Game in 1958
  • Barbie Doll

    Ruth Handler undeniably invented an American icon that functions as both a steady outlet for girls' dreams and an ever changing reflection of American society.